On and electronic scale, what body fat percentage is optimal?
I am familar with BMI however, the electronic scale I purchased gives readings based on body fat percentage. It says that I'm around 35% and that it falls into te upper end of the optimal range (by looking at the bars). However, the scale didn't come with a chart. I'd like to know what kind of body fat percentage goal I should be aiming for; I'm 5'6 female 24 years old.
Public Comments
- Everyone is an individual. Some people might feel and perform better at a higher or lower body fat percentage than others of the same age and sex. The absolute perfect body fat percentage does NOT exist. A certain amount of body fat is vital for the body to function normally and healthy. In fact striving for a body fat percentage that is too low can be dangerous. Another factor that needs to be taken into consideration whether or not you are an athlete, and what sport you participate in. With all that being said, charts indicate that in the GENERAL POPULATION, for a 24 year-old female, your "ideal" (sic) body fat is 14 to 21%.
