body fat percentage

     

An animal's total boy fat percentage is the total weight of the animal's fat divided by the animal's weight and reflects both essential fat and storage fat. Essential fat is that amount necessary for maintenance of life and reproductive functions. The percentage for women is greater than that for men, due to the demands of childbearing and other hormonal functions. Essential fat is 2–5% in men, and 10–13% in women. Storage fat consists of fat accumulation in adipose tissue, part of which protects internal organs in the chest and abdomen. The minimum recommended total body fat percentage exceeds the essential fat percentage value reported above. A number of online tools are available for calculating estimated body fat percentage.

Trivia about body fat percentage

  • Measured with calipers, it should be 15 or under for young men & goes down to around 5 for superathletes