The human body contains multiple types of tissue, such as skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, muscles and fluids. All of this mass combined is known as lean body mass. The word "lean" means without the presence of fat. Once you take all of this mass away, you are left with fat mass, which is measured by a percentage.
Identification
Levels of body fat are categorized for both men and women. For women, 10 to 12 percent is categorized as essential fat; 14 to 20 percent is athletic; 21 to 24 percent is fitness; 25 to 31 percent is acceptable; and over 32 percent is obese. These numbers vary for men. Essential fat is 2 to 4 percent; athletic is 6 to 13 percent; fitness is 14 to 17 percent; acceptable is 18 to 25 percent; and levels higher than 25 percent is obese.
High Body Fat Percentage
If you have a high body-fat measurement, you are at risk of suffering physical and mental complications. According to MayoClinic.com, if you are obese, you're more likely to develop a number of potentially serious health problems, including gallbladder disease, depression, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes.
Reduction
To lower a high body-fat measurement, you need to make lifestyle changes that involve your diet and exercise habits. Foods that are high in fat, sodium and sugar need to be replaced with healthier options like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat dairy. Exercise is also an important aspect of this weight loss. By doing cardiovascular exercise like running, brisk walking and step aerobics, you will burn fat during your workouts. By adding weight training exercises like push-ups, shoulder presses and lunges, you will build muscle which increases your caloric expenditure when you are resting.
Types
To figure out body fat percentage, several tools are utilized. Calipers are used by taking skinfold measurements at several sites on the body, adding the numbers together and dividing by the number of skinfolds. This number is then compared to a chart that comes with the calipers and the body fat percentage is determined.
Bioelectrical impedance is another testing device for body fat. A hand held device sends a painless electrical signal through your upper body where it measures the amount of subcutaneous fat under your skin. These also come in foot scale versions.
Hydrostatic weighing is a type of body fat measuring that usually takes place at a university. While wearing a bathing suit, you sit in a chair, let all the air out of your lungs and submerge yourself under water. After your weight is taken, it is then compared to your land weight and the values are inputted into a formula that determines your body fat measurement.
Misconceptions
Body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI) are often used interchangeably, but they are two different things. Body mass index is determined by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. Both of these parameters are used by medical providers and fitness trainers to track progress and determine health risks. A BMI over 30 is considered obese.
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