Body Fat Percentage

Definition

Body fat percentage is the proportion of your weight that comes from fat compared to the rest of your body, like muscles, bones, and water.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Body fat percentage is a biomarker used to assess the total mass of fat in comparison to total body mass. It provides a more detailed assessment of body composition than BMI alone, helping to differentiate between the amount of fat and lean mass in the body.

Benefits

• Helps in assessing overall fitness levels
• Assists in setting realistic weight loss or gain goals
• Helps in understanding health risks associated with high or low body fat
• Guides nutrition and exercise planning

Examples

• Using calipers to measure skinfold thickness
• Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) scales
• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans

Additional Information

• Known issues: An inaccurate measurement may occur if not assessed by a professional or if using unreliable equipment. Body fat percentage can vary based on gender, age, and fitness levels.

Related Terms

• Body Mass Index
• Lean Body Mass
• Basal Metabolic Rate
• Adipose Tissue

References

• Understanding Body Fat Percentage
• The Importance of Body Fat Percentage