Where does your body fat percentage put you? Find out according to your age.

As a society, we have been conditioned to think the numbers on the scale are an indicator of how healthy we are. However, there are better ways to determine your health level, one of them being your body fat percentage.

Many factors determine how much body fat a person carries, including diet, fitness level, gender, genetics, and activity level. When considering body fat, it is important to know that it is not just a high body fat percentage that is dangerous, but one that is too low as well. The ideal body fat level for a particular person isn’t always the lowest and can vary with each individual.

Low Body Fat Range

When trying to picture what low body fat looks like, picture an elite athlete. That will give you an idea of what it looks like to have low body fat. For women 19-29 years of age, a body fat of 19% or less is considered low. In addition, to be classified as low, women ages 30-39 should be under 21%, and women in their 40s should be under 24%. For women in their 50s or older, less than 28% body fat is considered low. While most women think that getting their body fat as low as possible is ideal, in fact, if your body fat is too low it can impact how your muscles function and other important body systems.

Healthy Body Fat Range

If you are in good condition and get regular exercise, you are most likely in the healthy body fat range of 19-22% for women aged 19-29. As with the low body fat range, these ranges change slightly depending on age. Women who are 30-39 years of age with a body fat percentage of 20-24% qualify as healthy, as do women who are in their 40s with a body fat percentage of 23-27%. Women who are 50 or older need to maintain a body fat percentage in the 27-31% range to be considered healthy.

Acceptable Body Fat Range

Women with a body fat range deemed “acceptable” could improve their overall body composition and general health by decreasing their body fat percentage slightly. They probably don’t have any of the health problems often caused by excess body fat. The acceptable ranges are 22-25% for women ages 19-29; 23-28% for women in their 30s; 26-31% for women in their 40s; and 31-34% for women ages 50 and older.

High Body Fat Range

Body fat ranges that are high are not quite acceptable but also not quite obese. This category encompasses a small number of women, since most fall above or below the body fat level of high. This classification includes ranges between 25-30% for women ages 19-29; 26-32% for women in their 30s; 29-34%for women in their 40s; and 34-38% for women in their 50 and older.

Obese Body Fat Range

Of course, the obese classification is the most dangerous. Women who are classified as obese should work with their healthcare professional to do whatever is needed to reduce their body fat to an acceptable, or lower, range. Numerous health-related conditions are connected to obesity, including, but not limited to heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers, and more. Women ages 19-29 and above 30% are considered obese. Women in their 30s are considered obese if their body fat percentage is above 31%, and for women in their 40s, anything above 33% puts them in the danger zone. Menopause affects weight gain and loss, making it harder to stay under the 37% level required of women over 50.

If your body fat percentage puts you in anything above the acceptable range for your age, changes to your lifestyle or workout routine can make a big difference. By increasing the amount of exercise you get and improving your diet, you can take steps in the right direction.