LEVELS OF BODY FAT
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Body fat is stored in fat cells. Everyone is born with a specific number of fat cells. This number does not change. Of course there are exceptions to every rule and there are two instances during which there is change:
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During puberty when the number of fat cells increase.
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If someone becomes extremely obese (> 60% body fat/ > than 170% normal body weight), fat cells would have reached their limit in terms of size and hence more fat cells are produced to accommodate the extra fat required for storage.
When people put on weight, what does change is the size of these fat cells – they may grow bigger or shrink in size. Therefore, when adults lose body fat there is a reduction in the size of the fat cells of the body. Fat is stored in various places around the body and depends on your gender. Both men and women will have a small store of fat in the liver, and some around the kidneys. Women tend to cary fat around the breast, on the waist, hips and bottom. Men store fat on the chest, abdomen and bottom.
Average body fat percentages vary between men and women, as well as between different age groups.
Body Fat Rating Scale |
Women |
Men |
Essential Fat |
10 - 13% |
2 - 5 % |
Lean (Athlete) |
14 – 20% |
6 – 13% |
Average (Fitness) |
21 – 24 % |
14 – 17% |
Acceptable |
25 – 31% |
18 – 25% |
Obese |
≥32% |
≥26% |
Typical average body fat for athletes |
Women |
Men |
Triathlon |
10 – 15% |
5 – 12% |
Swimmers |
10 – 16% |
6 – 12% |
Marathon Runners |
10 – 16% |
5 – 10% |
Olympic Gymnasts |
11 – 14% |
5 – 8% |
Sprinters |
12 – 18% |
5 – 12% |
Tennis Players |
14 – 20% |
10 – 16% |
Volleyball |
16 – 25% |
11 – 14% |
