What is the ideal body fat percentage?
My body fat is 16.2%. I am 16, female, around 5'9" and weigh 123.6lbs. I've looked for body fat charts on the internet and everyone is different. Some say that under 20% is underfat and others say that 16% is ideal. Other charts are shockingly low and say ideal body fat is 12-14%. I am pretty athletic if that changes a lot. I am just kinda worried because I'm a bit underweight and having trouble gaining weight and I don't want to like lose my period and get myself into future trouble.
Public Comments
- According to the American Dietetic Association, men should have 15 to 18 percent body fat and should women have 20 to 25 percent body fat. (Healthy male athletes might be as low as 5 to 12 percent body fat, and healthy female athletes could be as low as 10 to 20 percent). The total body water percentage for men should be around 55% and for women 51%. This seems like a lot, but lean muscle mass contains 75% water, body fat is 25%, bone 22% and lean muscle mass 75%
- Well let me first say that just because a chart tells you one thing doesnt mean that its geared toward everyone. 16% is great for your age and height. Womens BMI ten to be a bit higher than mens but its still all relative to you. Your actually low on your BMI which is fine. 18 to 22% for females is great.
- No worries you are fine. I'm a year younger and the same height and about 5 pounds less and a little underweight, but you don't need to gain weight, you're at a perfectly normal and healthy weight and bmi. Also, if you're athletic you should have a lower bmi, which you do, so that's completely normal too. Hope I helped =D
- Ideal body fat is subjective. Healthy (for a female) would be anywhere from 13%-29% depending on the individual. Very athletic females (usually with more muscle) may have as low as 13%-17%, fit females may have 19%-23% body fat and average (but still healthy) females could have up to 25%-29% body fat. 30% is overfat and 12% is underfat. So 16% body fat is very lean in the athletic range for a female. The only issue I see that might be a problem is the low body weight. Hope this helps.
