Body Fat Percentage for Males and Females:
Low Fat, Athletic, or Obese? Weight Loss Simplified
© 2009 by Kelly Smith all rights reserved
There is a close connection between fitness, weight management, diet, exercise programs, and body
fat. Keep in mind that cardiovascular fitness does not necessarily correlate with body weight. In fact, many people who do a lot of weight training may be quite heavy but have low body fat. Lean muscle mass is heavier than fat.
Unfortunately, most life insurance quotes only take height and weight into consideration when assigning an insurance premium. The chart below lists general body fat classifications for men and women in various age ranges.
|
Body Fat Percentage Ranges |
| Male Age Range |
Too Little |
Healthy |
Overweight |
Obese |
| 20 to 30 |
Below 8% |
9% to 19% |
20% to 25% |
Above 25% |
| 31 to 40 |
Below 8% |
9% to 19% |
20% to 25% |
Above 25% |
| 41 to 50 |
Below 11% |
12% to 22% |
23% to 27% |
Above 27% |
| 51 to 60 |
Below 11% |
12% to 22% |
23% to 27% |
Above 27% |
| 61 to 70 |
Below 13% |
13% to 24% |
25% to 30% |
Above 30% |
| Female Age Range |
Too Little |
Healthy |
Overweight |
Obese |
| 20 to 30 |
Below 20% |
21% to 30% |
31% to 40% |
Above 40% |
| 31 to 40 |
Below 21% |
22% to 32% |
33% to 41% |
Above 41% |
| 41 to 50 |
Below 23% |
24% to 35% |
36% to 41% |
Above 41% |
| 51 to 60 |
Below 23% |
24% to 35% |
36% to 41% |
Above 41% |
| 61 to 70 |
Below 24% |
25% to 36% |
37% to 43% |
Above 43% |
Do You Need to Lose Weight by Cutting Fat?
The (not so) shocking fact is that most people do need to get leaner and meaner. Being fit
is closely related to general good health, lowered risk of heart disease, and elevated self-esteem.
Fit people also do better in getting hired and finding a mate.
OK, maybe those last two facts aren’t politically correct, but numerous studies do show them
to be accurate. To get on the road to fitness recovery, here's a few things to do:
- Begin a running program
or some other form of activity (with a doctor’s permission,
of course).
- Shape up your diet. I didn’t say go on a diet. Consult the
glycemic index table. Skip the fast food, eat a fresh, balanced
diet, and stop driving around the parking lot for 10 minutes to get a close parking spot.
Stretch those legs.
- Get the support of like-minded individuals.
Join a running club
or a fitness center.
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