With the help of body fat measuring devices (in the private sector mostly body scales) one can determine the body composition. This is about fat mass, fat-free mass and body water. Body fat exists in two storage depots:
- Vital (essential) fat
- Depot fat
Vital (essential) fat
This fat is stored in the organs such as bones, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, spleen and in the fatty tissues of the nervous system. It is needed for normal body function.
Depot fat
This fat is stored under the skin surface as subcutaneous fat and serves the body as an energy reserve for times of need. It protects internal organs from injuries and diseases. Therefore, there are recommendations for a minimum body fat percentage.
This is higher for women than for men. Men should never fall below a body fat percentage of 6% and women of 9%. For pregnant women this percentage is about 12%.
Recommended body fat percentage
Men 20-24 years | 10.8 very good | 14.9 good | 19.0 medium | 23.3 bad 25-29 years | 12.9 very good | 16.5 good | 20.3 medium | 24.3 bad 30-34 years | 14, 5 very good | 18.0 good | 21.5 medium | 25.2 bad 35-39 years | 16.1 very good | 19.2 good | 22.6 medium | 26.0 bad 40-44 years | 17.5 very good | 20.5 good | 23, 6 medium | 26.9 bad 45-49 years | 18.6 very good | 21.5 good | 24.5 medium | 27.6 bad 50-54 years | 19.5 very good | 22.3 good | 25.2 medium | 28.3 bad 55-59 years | 20, 0 very good | 22.9 good | 25.9 medium | 28.9 bad 60+ years | 20.3 very good | 23.4 good | 26.4 medium | 29.5 badWomen 20-24 years | 18.9 very good | 22, 1 good | 25.0 medium | 29.6 bad 25-29 years | 18.9 very good | 22.0 good | 25.4 medium | 29.8 bad 30-34 years | 19.7 very good | 22.7 good | 26.4 medium | 30, 5 bad 35-39 years | 21.0 very good | 24.0 good | 27.7 medium | 31.5 bad 40-44 years | 22.6 very good | 25.6 good | 29.3 medium | 32.8 bad 45-49 years | 24, 3 very good | 27.3 good | 30.9 medium | 34.1 bad 50-54 years | 25.8 very good | 28.9 good | 32.3 medium | 35.5 bad 55-59 years | 27.0 very good | 30.2 good | 33.5 medium | 36.7 bad 60+ years | 27.6 very good | 30.9 good | 34.2 medium | 37.7 badThese figures are average values and may differ from other tables.
