As you know, the percentage of fat in the body increases with age, but the number of muscles decreases. This indicator is the most accurate determinant of the level of development of the body. Therefore, if you lose only fat, and not muscle mass, then everything is normal.
As a rule, this indicator depends on the gender and age category of a person. Due to the fact that estrogen is produced in a woman’s body, the fat indicator in it will be 5% higher than in a man’s. The approximate percentage of fat in the body of a man is 15-17 units. As for the beautiful half of the population, they have a normal rate of 23-24%.
Of course, with age, this figure increases. For example, a middle-aged man who sits more than moves, will have about 25%, or even more, in his body. A similar level is the limit of obesity, while in women this threshold is determined by 30%.
The percentage of fat in the body cannot have a zero indicator, because a certain amount of this substance is necessary for its normal functioning, in particular, for thermal insulation, maintaining energy reserves, as well as protecting internal organs.
The body fat percentage in women is 7-10%, and in men - 3-5%. Note that such low rates also constitute a health hazard. This is especially dangerous for the beautiful half of the population, because in a similar situation problems with estrogen synthesis may develop, malfunctions of the menstrual cycle and impaired reproductive function are manifested. In addition, bone density decreases, which can cause the development of osteoporosis.
How to find out the percentage of body fat? For this, several techniques have been developed, one of the most accurate of which is the assessment of body composition, the ratio of waist and hips. You can also measure skin folds. The most accurate is the definition of this indicator using computed tomography. The device allows you to clearly trace fatty and non-fatty tissue. Since the procedure is expensive, its use is not widespread. In order to measure the percentage of fat in the body at home, you can buy a special device that looks similar to floor scales. The device is based on bioelectric resistance. A person becomes bare feet on the surface, after which several indicators are displayed on the scoreboard: muscle mass, fat mass, amount of fluid in the body. However, when using this device, one inaccuracy arises, which relates to the determination of the mass of fat in the body area.
There are several methods that can determine its amount in the body at home:
1. The ratio of the waist and hips. To do this, take a meter tape and conduct several measurements in the area of these sites. When the ratio increases, then the person becomes fat. If the process is the opposite, it decreases. In order to take measurements, it is necessary to stand upright, then measure the waist circumference above the navel. Then the girth of the hips must be determined by measuring them in the widest place. Then divide the resulting waist circumference into the hips circumference. When the result exceeds 0.8, it means that you have to train for a long time to lose weight and lose fat.
2. The percentage of body fat can be determined by pinching the skin. To do this, grab it with the thumb and forefinger on the shoulder (behind), slightly above the armpit, as well as in the abdomen and hips. Then you should release the crease, without spreading your fingers, measure the distance between them. If the obtained distance was more than 2.5 cm, this indicates the presence of excess fat in the body.