There are many differences between the physiology of men's and a women's bodies. One of these is body composition, including lean body mass and fat mass. A woman's body is designed to promote reproduction, which is reflected by the storage locations and amount of fat throughout her body.
Measuring Body Fat
Your body is composed of lean body mass and fat mass. Your lean mass consists of organs, tissues, water, bone, muscle and skin. Fat mass is simply the fat located around your organs and in storage areas. Your body fat can be measured several ways, but the easiest way to estimate body fat percentage in the privacy of your own home is with a specialized scale. Bioelectrical impedance measuring sends a harmless electrical signal through your body. Since lean body mass will conduct the electrical current and fat mass will not, this scale can estimate your body fat percentage based on the feedback.
Body Fat Percentage Norms For Women
According to the book, "The Health Fitness Instructor's Handbook," by Edward Howley and B. Don Franks, the ideal body fat percentage for women varies by age. For a woman between the ages of 18 and 34 years, a body fat percentage of 20 to 35 percent is recommended. Women ages 35 to 55 should have a body fat percentage between 23 and 38 percent. Women 56 or older should have a body fat percentage of 25 to 38 percent.
Women and Body Fat
Stored fat can be classified as essential and non-essential. Essential fats include the fat necessary for proper organ, cardiovascular, metabolic, neural and cellular operations. Most of this fat is stored in the torso around the organs of the body. However, for a woman, the fat that is necessary for reproduction is also considered essential fat. This includes the fat stored in breasts and surrounding the genitals. According to the book, "Exercise Physiology" by Brooks, Fahey and Baldwin, essential fat makes up about 40 percent of fat for women and a mere 20 percent of fat for men. Taking into consideration essential and storage fat, it is clear that a woman is genetically engineered to carry larger percentages of body fat.
Controlling Body Fat
Being a woman doesn't mean you should sit idly by and watch your body fat percentage increase. Controlling the amount of fat your body stores can positively influence your body fat percentage. Eating a calorie-controlled diet and participating in regular exercise can lower your body fat. Aerobic exercise can burn fat and weight training exercise can increase lean body mass, both resulting in a more favorable body fat percentage.
References
- "Exercise Testing and Prescription"; David C. Nieman; 2007
- "Health Fitness Instructor's Handbook"; Edward T. Howley and B. Don Franks; 2003
- "Exercise Physiology"; George A. Brooks, Thomas D. Fahey, Kenneth M. Baldwin; 2005
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