Typical Body Fat Percentage

Total body mass is composed of body fat and lean body mass. The typical amount of body fat a person holds—body fat percentage—varies and is dependent on age, gender, diet and activity level. Although fat is necessary to help the body function properly, an excess of body fat can lead to obesity and related health problems.

Obesity

Obesity occurs when an individual possesses an excess of body fat. There are more than 1 billion overweight and 300 million or more obese adults worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Medline Plus notes that individuals are considered obese if their body fat percentage is more than 30 percent for women and 25 percent or higher for men.

BMI

Obesity can also be determined using a body fat index, which is a good indicator of total body fat. BMIs of 25 or above are considered overweight and 30 or above obese. BMI can be calculated by multiplying body weight in pounds by 703, then dividing by height in inches and dividing by height in inches again. The website of the American Dietetic Association provides an adult BMI calculator. A disadvantage of using BMI is that it may be inaccurate when used for muscular athletes or elderly individuals.

Body Fat Recommendations

According to an article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2000, there are no universal published accepted body fat ranges that associate body fat percentage with morbidity and mortality.

Several sources cite body fat percentage guidelines, however. Medline Plus recommends a body fat percentage of 20 to 21 percent for women and 13 to 17 percent for men. The book "Sports Nutrition: A Guide for the Professional Working with Active People" notes generally accepted body fat ranges of about 10 to 22 percent for men and 20 to 32 percent for women. It also recommends avoiding body fat percentages below 5 percent for men and 12 percent for women.

Average U.S. Body Fat

Body fat percentages are generally higher for women than men. This is due in part to a higher amount of lean muscle mass in men and women requiring more body fat than men for childbearing. In the United States, Medline Plus states that average body fat percentages are about 22 to 25 percent for women and approximately 17 to 19 percent for men.

Age Differences

The process of aging can affect body fat percentage. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, older adults begin to see a decrease in lean muscle mass; increased age is also associated with increases in body fat. To help counter body composition changes related to aging, following a regular exercise program and healthy diet are recommended.