2
NORMAL HEALTHY RANGE OF BODY FAT PERCENTAGE
BODY FAT % RANGES FOR BOYS*
Age
Low
Optimal
Moderate
High
6
≤12.4
12.5 -19.5
19.6 - 22.6
≥22.7
7
≤12.6
12.7 - 20.4
20.5 - 24.0
≥24.1
8
≤12.7
12.8 - 21.3
21.4 - 25.4
≥25.5
9
≤12.8
12.9 - 22.2
22.3 - 26.7
≥26.8
10
≤12.8
12.9 - 22.8
22.9 - 27.8
≥27.9
11
≤12.6
12.7 - 23.0
23.1 - 28.2
≥28.3
12
≤12.1
12.2 - 22.7
22.8 - 27.8
≥27.9
13
≤11.5
11.6 - 22.0
22.1 - 26.9
≥27.0
14
≤10.9
11.0 - 21.3
21.4 - 25.8
≥25.9
15
≤10.4
10.5 - 20.7
20.8 - 24.9
≥25.0
16
≤10.1
10.2 - 20.3
20.4 - 24.2
≥24.3
17
≤9.8
9.9 - 20.1
20.2 - 23.8
≥23.9
18
≤9.6
9.7 - 20.1
20.2 - 23.5
≥23.6
BODY FAT % RANGES FOR GIRLS*
Age
Low
Optimal
Moderate
High
6
≤14.4
14.5 - 23.0
23.1 - 26.1
≥26.2
7
≤14.9
15.0 - 24.5
24.6 - 27.9
≥28.0
8
≤15.3
15.4 - 26.0
26.1 - 29.6
≥29.7
9
≤15.7
15.8 - 27.2
27.3 - 31.1
≥31.2
10
≤16.0
16.1 - 28.2
28.3 - 32.1
≥32.2
11
≤16.1
16.2 - 28.8
28.9 - 32.7
≥32.8
12
≤16.1
16.2 - 29.1
29.2 - 33.0
≥33.1
13
≤16.1
16.2 - 29.4
29.5 - 33.2
≥33.3
14
≤16.0
16.1 - 29.6
29.7 - 33.5
≥33.6
15
≤15.7
15.8 - 29.9
30.0 - 33.7
≥33.8
16
≤15.5
15.6 - 30.1
30.2 - 34.0
≥34.1
17
≤15.1
15.2 - 30.1
30.2 - 34.3
≥34.4
18
≤14.7
14.8 - 30.8
30.9 - 34.7
≥34.8
BODY FAT % RANGES FOR MEN**
Age
Low
Optimal
Moderate
High
19 - 39
≤8
8.1 - 19.9
20 - 24.9
≥25
40 - 59
≤11
11.1 - 21.9
22 - 27.9
≥28
60+
≤13
13.1 - 24.9
25 - 29.9
≥30
BODY FAT % RANGES FOR WOMEN**
Age
Low
Optimal
Moderate
High
19 - 39
≤21
21.1 - 32.9
33 - 38.9
≥39
40 - 59
≤23
23.1 - 33.9
34 - 39.9
≥40
60+
≤24
24.1 - 35.9
36 - 41.9
≥42
*Source: Derived from; HD McCarthy, TJ Cole, T Fry, SA Jebb and AM Prentice: “Body fat reference curves for
children”. International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 598–602.
**Source: Derived from; Dympna Gallagher, Steven B Heymsfield, Moonseong Heo, Susan A Jebb, Peter
R Murgatroyd, and Yoichi Sakamoto: “Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing
guidelines based on body mass index1–3”. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:694–701.
The Body Fat % ranges published are for guidance only. Professional medical guidance should
always be sought before embarking on diet and exercise programs.
BODY WATER -WHY MEASURE IT?
Body water is the single most important
component of body weight. It represents over half of your total weight and almost
two thirds of your lean body mass (predominantly muscle). Water performs a number
of important roles in the body:
All the cells in the body, whether in the skin, glands, muscles, brain or anywhere
else, can only function properly if they have enough water. Water also plays a vital
part in regulating the body’s temperature balance, particularly through perspiration.
The combination of your weight and fat measurement could appear to be ‘normal’ but
your body hydration level could be insufficient for healthy living.
NORMAL HEALTHY RANGE OF BODYWATER PERCENTAGE
BODY WATER CHART***
BF % Range
Optimal BW % Range
Men
4 to 14%
70 to 63%
15 to 21%
63 to 57%
22 to 24%
57 to 55%
25 and over
55 to 37%
Women
4 to 20%
70 to 58%
21 to 29%
58 to 52 %
30 to 32 %
52 to 49%
33 and over
49 to 37%
***Source: Derived from Wang & Deurenberg: “Hydration of fat-free body mass”. American Journal Clin Nutr
1999, 69 833-841.
Body water measurement results are influenced by the proportion of body fat and
muscle. If the proportion of body fat is high, or the proportion of muscle is low
then the body water results will tend to be low. It is important to remember that
measurements such as body weight, body fat and body water are tools for you to use
as part of your healthy lifestyle. As short term fluctuations are normal, we suggest
you chart your progress over time, rather than focus on a single days reading.
The Body Water % ranges published are for guidance only. Professional
medical guidance should always be sought before embarking on diet and
exercise programmes.
WHAT DOES MY BMI VALUE MEAN?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is an index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to
classify underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. This scale calculates your
BMI value for you. The BMI categories shown in the chart and table below are
recognised by the WHO (World Health Organisation) and can be used to interpret
your BMI value.
kg
m
st
ft
Your BMI category can be identified using the table below.
BMI Category
BMI Value Meaning
Health Risk Based Solely On BMI
< 18.5
Underweight
t
Moderate
18.6-24.9
Normal
Low
25-29.9
Overweight
Moderate
30+
Obese
High
IMPORTANT:
If the chart/table shows that you are outside of a ‘normal’ healthy
weight range, consult your doctor before taking any action. BMI classifications are for
adults (age 20+ years) only.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
How exactly is my body fat and water being measured?
This Salter Scale uses a measurement method known as Bioelectrical Impedance
Analysis (BIA). A minute current is sent through your body, via your feet and legs.
This current flows easily through the lean muscular tissue, which has a high fluid
content, but not easily through fat. Therefore, by measuring your body’s impedance
(i.e. its resistance to the current), the quantity of muscle can be determined. From
this, the quantity of fat and water can then be estimated.
What is the value of the current passing through me when the measurement is
taken? Is it safe?
The current is less than 1mA, which is tiny and perfectly safe. You will not be able
to feel it. Please note however, that this device should not be used by anyone with
an internal electronic medical device, such as a pacemaker, as a precaution against
disruption to that device.
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