Body fat -what does it mean, Normal healthy range of body fat percentage, Body water -why measure it – Salter 9154 BK3R MiBody Bluetooth Analyser Scale User Manual

Page 3: Normal healthy range of bodywater percentage, Why should i know my muscle mass

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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.

kg

m

st

ft

body Fat -what does it mean?

The human body is made up of, amongst other things, a percentage of fat. This is vital

for a healthy, functioning body - it cushions joints and protects vital organs, helps

regulate body temperature, stores vitamins and helps the body sustain itself when food

is scarce. However, too much body fat or indeed too little body fat can be damaging to

your health. It is difficult to gauge how much body fat we have in our bodies simply by

looking at ourselves in the mirror. This is why it is important to measure and monitor

your body fat percentage. Body fat percentage gives you a better measure of fitness

than weight alone – the composition of your weight loss could mean you are losing

muscle mass rather than fat - you could still have a high percentage of fat even when a

scale indicates ‘normal weight’.

normal healthy range oF body Fat percentage

bod Fat %

body Fat % ranges for boys*

age

low

optimal

moderate

high

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

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

index 1–3”. 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.

For those using Athlete Mode: note that athletes may have a lower body fat range and a

higher body water range than shown above, depending on their type of sport or activity.

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.

why should i know my muscle mass?

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ASCM), lean muscle mass may

decrease by nearly 50 percent between the ages of 20 and 90. If you don’t do anything to

replace that loss you’re losing muscle and increasing fat. It is also important to know

your muscle mass % during weight reduction. At rest, the body burns approximately 110

additional calories for each kilo of muscle gained. Some advantages of gaining muscle

mass include:

• Reversing the decline in strength, bone density and muscle mass that accompanies age

• Maintenance of flexible joints

• Guide weight reduction when combined with a healthy diet.

This product is for domestic use only. Pregnant women should only use the weight function.

caution : do not use this product if you have a pacemaker or other medical device

fitted. if in doubt, consult your doctor.

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