Standard values
In order to interpret the results of the body composition tests, the standard values of the respective body mass must be known. These usually differ accordingly on the basis of the age group and the sex. The entire body tissue consists in all regions to a part of water.
Depending on the fluid or tissue type, the proportion of water is more or less significant. Altogether, the male adult body consists on average of about 60-65% water.Women reach about 50-55% due to a naturally higher fat content. For children the total water content is about 60-75%.
Overall, the volume is distributed in a ratio of 3:2 between intracellular and extracellular space. The fat-free mass (FFM) is divided according to body weight. Standard values are differentiated by age and sex.
Men under 30 years of age are in the normal range of 80-85%, whereas women in this age group are in the normal range of 78-80%. Men between 30 and 49 years of age are 78-80% within the normal range, whereas women in this age group are 76-78% within the norm. At the age of over 49 years, men are within the norm with 75-80%, whereas women are within the norm with 70-75%.
It is similar for body fat percentage, with men in total lying between 15-22% body fat percentage during their lifetime, and women at 16-30% body fat percentage are in the norm. The normal range for body cell mass is over 45% for men under 30 and over 42% for women. At the age of over 49 years the normal range changes and is over 40% for men and over 38% for women over 49 years. The value of the body cell mass is an important value when assessing the nutritional status and general body fitness of a person.
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