Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages PL
I agree that it could be measured in many different ways. But I would keep it simple. Take a measure of body fat percentage: The NIH says a healthy body fat percentage for men is 13 to 17 percent. But the average male has a body fat percentage of 17 to 19 percent.
The ideal for women is 20 to 21%. But the actual average, for U.S. women, is22 to 25%.
There are special scales that one can step up on to get a reading of their body fat percentage. Make the upper limit 17% for men and 21% for women. It's quick and easy and will be a great service because a lot of people don't know what their percentage is. If they don't pass the test, they could always go back and try again at 3 to 6 month intervals.
Athletes often come in at a lower percentage. Mine, the last time I checked, was 11%. That's not dangerous for a man. Dangerous would be between 3 and 6%.
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These scales don't actually measure body fat. They run an electrical current through the body, calculate the electrical impedance (since electricity conducts better through water and tissue than fat), then, plugging the person's height and weight into a formula, make a calculation/ average "guestimate" of body fat.
I have read conflicting accounts of their accuracy.