What should my average body fat percentage be?
I have been looking all over the internent for a calculator to measure my body fat percentage. But every site i go to tells me something different. So what should my average body fat percentage be and what is a good site to measure it? I am 14 and 115 pounds. is this bad? i just always feel fat because all my friends all way less than me. so i just want to know where i should be at with my weight and body fat percentage. Help!
Public Comments
- Depends how tall you are. Here's a BMI Calculator. Hope it helps. Link: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
- Hmm first of all you are not fat if you weigh 115 at 14! and it all really depends on your height too. I think if you go to www.seventeen.com there is a place you can find stuff like that out.
- There are a number of ways to measure body fat, and from what I've heard, if you want an accurate reading, you have to use the immersion method. That's where you're put in a tank of water (fully submerged) to see what your volume is. Based on your body's volume and knowing the density of muscle tissue and of fat, the technician can kinda' calculate how much of each you have in your body. Of course, this method ignores the fact that you also have blood, bone, etc., which, depending on your build, may affect the accuracy of the calculation. Even if it were possible to get an accurate reading, no one can tell you what reading is good or bad. If you're lean without being skinny and you exercise regularly, you'll probably be around for a long time to come. (That's the "health" side of my answer.) If your friends accept you for who you are, you shouldn't worry about your body fat percentage. (That's the "social" side of my answer.)
- I wouldn't bother with those internet body fat calulators, they are really not very accurate. You can always buy some body fat callipers and learn to measure your own body fat. I'm assuming you are a girl, so your body fat should be between 18%-28% for your age.
