Measuring body fat is one important indicator in determining a person's overall health and fitness level. So what does this number mean? Your body fat percentage is simply the percentage of fat your body contains. If you weigh 150 pounds and have a body fat percentage of 20, it means your body consists of 30 pounds of fat and 120 pounds of lean body mass (bone, muscle, organ tissue, blood and everything else).
A certain amount of fat is essential to bodily functions. Fat regulates body temperature, cushions and insulates organs and tissues, and is the main form of the body's energy storage. The following table describes body fat ranges and their associated categories:
Classification: Women (% fat) Men (% fat)
Essential Fat: 10-12% 2-4%
Athletes: 14-20% 6-13%
Fitness: 21-24% 14-17%
Acceptable: 25-31% 18-25%
Obese: 32% plus 25% plus
* Percentages provided by the American Council on Exercise
Consult with a health professional and find out about your body fat percentage. And in the event that it falls outside of a healthy range, take a stand and make the necessary changes to become a healthier person!
No comments:
Post a Comment