There is a tendency to relate body fat to being overweight and this is not necessarily the case.

All human beings need body fat. The amount you need depends on your body shape and type, your age and whether you are male or female.

Women need more body fat than men. For males a healthy amount of body fat is in the range of 8% to 25%. For females a healthy amount is in the range 21% to 36%.

The younger you are the less body fat you should have. For young 20 to 30 year old males the ideal body fat level is around 8% to 19%, whereas once males pass their sixtieth birthday 13% to 25% is healthy.

For younger 20 to 30 year old females ideal body fat is in the region of 21% to 33%. Retired, sixty plus year olds should aim for 24% to 36%.

These differences explain, to some extent, why women find it more difficult than men to lose weight.

How To Measure Body Fat

The least scientific, but still useful method, which anyone can do, even as you read this article, is to hold up one arm and pinch the area at the back, just opposite your bicep muscle. If there is very little flabbiness there, it is a good sign. A lot of flab probably means that your body fat is too high.

Body Fat Callipers have been in use for a long time. They require training to use properly so that they give accurate readings. Their usefulness has probably been superseded by more modern body fat weighing machines. These machines are more accurate and much quicker to use.

For measuring body fat accurately we would recommend using one of the specially designed devices. The small hand-held devices seem to have accuracy problems. Generally speaking the weighing scale type of machine seems to work more accurately.

You should take care not to exercise or drink too much or too little before using any body fat measuring device.

The machines we recommend for measuring body fat is the Tanita of Illinois. They are available in most countries.

If you want a totally accurate and reliable body fat measurement you will need to have a total body scan.

The US Navy Seal test uses the measurement of the thinnest part of your wrist, your neck, waist and height to provide an estimate. This method of measuring has been around for a long time and is reasonably accurate.

I will write an article about how to use it next week.

Tomorrow, Sunday June 1 I will be holding my online Hypnothon for everyone interested in losing weight, please join us. You can get the details here.

Recommended Resources

If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe via RSS feed or by email updates. You will receive fresh, new content free of charge!

If You’re Serious About Losing Weight and Creating Your Ideal Body you should consider becoming a member of our Elite Slimmers. We test it constantly and believe it to be THE most powerful weight loss program on the Internet because you learn how to hypnotize yourself to generate strong willpower and help people overcome temptations. Membership is strictly limited, so you should check immediately to see if you can join. It will ensure that you achieve your weight loss goals. Discover The Elite Slimmers now. At the Weight Loss Hypnothon on June 1 you can experience for free what it feels like to be hypnotized to lose weight. Reserve a free place here: www.goneforeverweightloss.com/weight-loss-hypnothon.html

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!