Fats sometimes considered to be the best enemy of human. However, it is important in human body. It gives off energy to the body and helps the growth of cells. Moreover, fats make the body warm. That’s why thin people feel cold easier compare to chubby ones.
Furthermore, human fats protect the organs of the body. The layers of fats cover the internal organs. Therefore, fat is important to us.
What is Body Fat Percentage Chart?
Body fat percentage chart refers to the table that contains the range of age, height, gender and corresponding measure of fats. From there, you will know if you are below normal, normal or above normal based on your age.
How to Define Body Fat Percentage Chart by Age and Height?
Body fat percentage refers to the calculation of fat from your total weight. It gives as the clear distinction of the difference between the normal ranges of body fat of male from female.
In using bathroom scales in measuring your body weight cannot give you the body fat percent you are looking for.
That is why, the chart is made so that you can assess if the measure of fats you have is normal or not.
A Full Body Fat Percentage Chart by Age and Height (Chart)
There are many ways on how to measure body fat. However, accuracy is the issue. Here are some ways on how to measure body fat percentage:
Tape Measure
The simplest way to get the body fat percentage is through a tape measure. Sewers use soft tape measure to get the length and the width of the body parts. You use the same instrument to basically measure the fat percentage. Moreover, you should also get the height.
For men, you first get the circumference of your abdomen and neck. You measure the widest or the largest part of those.
Calculate the difference of your neck and abdomen to get the body fat percentage. In other words, you subtract the measurement of your neck from the abdomen’s measurement.
However, for women, you get the circumference of your waist, neck and hips. Same as with men, measure the widest part of the parts.
To get the body fat percentage, you add the measurement value of your hips and waist. After that, subtract the value of the neck from the sum of the hips and waist to get the circumference.
You use the online Navy Body Fat Calculator to find the estimated percent of your body fats.
Calipers
You can use the skinfold caliper to measure the layer of underlying fat. It measures the thickness of the skin to easily estimate the percent of body fats.
Body Fat Percentage Ranges
The American College of Sports Medicine has shared guidelines for body fat percentage by sex and age.
Age | 20–29 | 30–39 | 40–49 | 50–59 | 60+ |
Male | 7–17% | 12–21% | 14–23% | 16–24% | 17–25% |
Female | 16–24% | 17–25% | 19–28% | 22–31% | 22–33% |
Type | Women (% fat) | Men (% fat) |
Essential Fat | 10-12% | 2-4% |
Athletes | 14-20% | 6-13% |
Fit | 21-24% | 14-17% |
Acceptable | 25-31% | 18-25% |
Obese | 32% plus | 25% plus |
If you see that your body fats percentage is below the range from the chart, that is an ideal value.
On the other hand, the American Council of Fitness developed a table which shows the average body fat percentage in women and men, depending on their level of fitness:
Conclusion
We need to be aware of our body fat percentage not only to make sure that we are physically pleasing but physically fit also. You consider your health above all else. Through measuring your body fats, you can easily asses what should be done to make improve your health.
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