You can compare your body fat percentage to this table which shows general population averages.
Classification Female Body Fat % Male Body Fat % 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 65+ 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56-65 65+
Very Lean 13-17 13-18 15-19 18-22 18-23 16-18 4-7 8-12 10-14 12-16 15-18 15-18
Lean 18-20 19-21 20-23 23-25 24-26 22-25 8-10 13-15 15-18 17-20 19-21 19-21
Leaner Than Average 21-23 22-23 24-26 26-28 27-30 27-29 11-13 16-18 19-21 21-23 22-24 22-24
Average 24-25 24-26 27-29 29-31 31-33 30-32 14-18 19-21 22-24 24-25 25-26 24-25
Fatter Than Average 26-28 27-30 30-32 32-34 34-36 33-35 18-20 22-24 25-26 26-28 27-28 26-27
Fat 29-31 31-35 33-36 35-38 37-38 36-38 21-26 25-28 27-29 29-31 28-31 28-30
Over Fat 33+ 36+ 34+ 39+ 39+ 39+ 28+ 29+ 31+ 32+ 32+ 31+
The following table shows average body fat levels in elite sports performers for comparison:
Sport Male Body Fat % Female Body Fat %
Badminton/Squash 8-10% 15-20%
Cycling 6-9% 12-15%
Distance running 4-7% 10-15%
Gymnastics 5-8% 13-20%
Ice Hockey 9-11% 16-26%
Soccer/Rugby 8-12% 14-23%
Waist Measurement
This is a useful figure to know as where a person stores excess fat can be indicative of health risks. Fat
stored around the stomach increases the risk of a range of health problems including insulin resistance,
type II diabetes, certain cancers, hypertension and atherosclerosis. This is because fat stored in this
abdominal area is more ‘metabolically active’ – it breaks down and resynthesises 4-5 times faster than
fat in other parts of the body meaning that it’s constituent fats can enter the blood stream and
accumulate around the vital organs causing problems.
Even normal weight people with high abdominal fat levels are at greater risk of medical complications
and a high waist circumference can double the risk for cardiovascular disease.
EIHA Average Male Waist 2008 = 91cm EIHA Average Female Waist 2008 = 72cm
The table below shows the levels which are defined as ‘healthy’ and ‘increased risk’ for waist
circumference.
Gender Classification Waist Measurement (cm)
Healthy <82
Female Increased Risk 82 - 88
High Risk >88
Male Healthy <91 Increased Risk 92 - 101
High Risk >102
BlueSkies Health, Fitness & Well-Being
info@blueskiesfitness.co.uk www.blueskiesfitness.co.uk
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