Healthy body fat levels are an important part of overall good health. A body fat level which is too low is considered unhealthy, just as one which is too high. Having too much body fat around the stomach can contribute to poor health. Various methods can be used to determine individual fat levels. Some of these more accurate than others.
Healthy Body Fat Levels
Healthy body fat levels differ for men and women. According to the American Council on Exercise, a man is considered obese if his body fat level is 25 percent or higher. Acceptable fat levels for men range from 18 to 24 percent, fitness levels range from 14 to 17 percent, athletic levels range from 6 to 13 percent and essential fat levels range from 2 to 5 percent. A woman is considered obese if her body fat level is 32 percent of higher. Acceptable fat levels for women range from 25 to 31 percent, fitness levels range from 21 to 24 percent, athletic levels range from 14 to 20% and essential fat levels range from 10 to 13 percent. (reference 1)
Essential Body Fat
A minimal amount of body fat is necessary for both men and women. This body fat is referred to as essential. Essential body fat becomes increasingly important for women in relation to reproductive health. If a woman's body fat level is below 10 to 13 percent, she may become amenorrheic, meaning she will experience an absence of menstruation. Fat levels below this range may also cause complications when attempting to conceive. Essential body fat is also beneficial for both men and women in insulating important organs such as the heart.
Skin Fold Test
A skin fold test is a convenient way of determining body fat. The test is performed using a caliper. The caliper "pinches" the skin in various areas of the body, such as under the upper arm and sides of the stomach. The results are then used to determine body fat percentage. Calipers can be inaccurate; they are best when used by the same technician each time and to determine body fat lost or gained, rather than for an accurate estimate of body fat, according to the ACE.
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
A more accurate estimation can be determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis. BIA measures the amount of electrical current conducted through tissue. Fat tissue is only about 20 percent water; therefore, it has a higher impedance, meaning it conducts less current than muscle. Muscle tissue is about 75 percent water and has a lower impedance, meaning it conducts more current than fat. These values are then used to determine body fat percentage, according to the University of Vermont Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences.
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