{"id":5929,"date":"2020-06-24T18:22:46","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T18:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=5929"},"modified":"2025-10-29T20:11:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T20:11:22","slug":"40-body-fat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/","title":{"rendered":"40% Body Fat: Are You a Jump Away from Obesity and What Should You Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#Body_Fat_Why_Is_it_Important\" >Body Fat: Why Is it Important?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#Is_Having_40_Body_Fat_Considered_Obese\" >Is Having 40% Body Fat Considered Obese?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#Methods_of_Body_Fat_Calculation\" >Methods of Body Fat Calculation<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#Skinfold_Formulas\" >Skinfold Formulas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#The_BMI_Formula\" >The BMI Formula<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#The_YMCA_formula\" >The YMCA formula<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#Why_Is_Having_40_Body_Fat_Bad\" >Why Is Having 40% Body Fat Bad?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#What_to_Do_With_40_Body_Fat\" >What to Do With 40% Body Fat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#How_to_Get_from_40_Body_Fat_to_25\" >How to Get from 40% Body Fat to 25%<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#Can_you_actually_have_abs_with_40_body_fat\" >Can you actually have abs with 40% body fat?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#How_long_does_it_take_to_go_from_40_body_fat_to_10_body_fat\" >How long does it take to go from 40% body fat to 10% body fat?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#How_much_weight_do_I_need_to_lose_when_my_body_fat_percentage_is_40\" >How much weight do I need to lose when my body fat percentage is 40%?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Body fat percentage is different from BMI (body mass index), which measures the ratio between weight and height. While BMI gives an estimation of total body fat based on weight, it doesn\u2019t consider muscle mass or distribution of body fat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-2.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, body fat percentage is a more accurate measure of body composition as it takes into account the proportion of fat tissue in relation to lean body mass.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The recommended body fat percentage varies depending on age and sex, but generally, healthy levels range between 21% and 35% for women and 8% and 24% for men (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicinenet.com\/what_should_your_body_fat_percentage_be\/article.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Anything above these ranges can be considered high and may indicate an increased risk of health complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s what you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Body_Fat_Why_Is_it_Important\"><\/span><b>Body Fat: Why Is it Important?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s present in every person\u2019s body, regardless of their lifestyle and habits. Even elite athletes have it because it plays a vital role in proper physical functions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several reasons why it\u2019s important, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a valuable source of energy. 10-15 kilos of fat can provide energy for up to 3 months (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/9376885\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a great physical temperature regulator. Due to its thermal insulation effect, it can help you survive in the cold (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/9376885\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s necessary for the reproductive system. Women with an adequate amount of it tend to be more fertile than those who lack it (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/9376885\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It protects your bones. It prevents fractures and reduces mechanical pressure on particular body parts. For example, it\u2019s present in the heels and toes, ensuring easy movement (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4779997\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It protects your organs, for example, by keeping persistent organic pollutants away from your organ tissues (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3569688\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, \u201cthe more fat, the better\u201d approach doesn\u2019t work here. The amount of it in your body must be moderate to keep the potential health problems at bay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ready-3-copy.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Having_40_Body_Fat_Considered_Obese\"><\/span><b>Is Having 40% Body Fat Considered Obese?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Body fat percentage is a measurement that shows how big the part of it is in your physique\u2019s composition. In other words, it\u2019s the amount in comparison with your muscles, bones, organs, connective tissues, and water. There are a few categorizations of percentages, ranging from the minimum to obesity. The ideal percentage is different for women and men due to their different physiques.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"wpsm_comptable_shortcode_echo\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpsm-comptable-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<table id=\"wpsm-table-449\" class=\"wpsm-comptable \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<thead class=\"wpsm-thead wpsm-thead-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th class=\"placeholder wpsm-placeholder\"><\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>Women<\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>Men<\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/thead>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tbody class=\"wpsm-tbody\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMinimum fat\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t10-12%\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2-4%\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAthletic\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t14-20%\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6-13%\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFit\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t21-24%\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t14-17%\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAverage\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t25-31%\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t18-25%\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tObese\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t32% and more\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t26% and more\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tbody>\n\t\t\t\t<\/table>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women need more fat for their bodies to function properly than men. While 2% of it is sufficient as a minimum for men, women need 5 times as much. One of the primary reasons for such a drastic difference is that it\u2019s essential for the female reproductive system, with such functions as <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/what-not-to-eat-on-your-period\/\">menstruation<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/ovulation\/\">ovulation<\/a> being affected by body fat amounts. Women also tend to store more fat under the skin, while men have a tendency to store more around their organs. Women may also use a higher proportion of fat for energy when they exercise than men. So, the biological sex of a person plays a determining role in their fat percentage and distribution (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/11706283\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should keep this in mind when you set off on your weight loss journey. It\u2019s recommended to keep the percentage within 14-31% and 6-25% boundaries for women and men respectively. Accordingly, 40% is too much for both women and men. Exceeding the upper limit is indicative of obesity and may increase obesity-related health risks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>If you wish to free yourself from all the extra pounds that have been weighing you down for way too long, <a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">start using the BetterMe: Health Coaching app<\/a> and overhaul your entire life!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Methods_of_Body_Fat_Calculation\"><\/span><b>Methods of Body Fat Calculation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using the body fat caliper is an easy way to measure the thickness of your skinfold and determine your fat percentage. You can go through the process alone or ask your doctor, a friend, or a family member for help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All you need to do is grab your skin fold in a certain body area and apply the caliper. Of course, you won\u2019t know the percentage immediately after taking the caliper in your hands, but you can apply the value in a special formula. Here is one of the formulas you can use:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Skinfold_Formulas\"><\/span><b>Skinfold Formulas<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several different formulas that researchers and clinicians use for estimating body fat percentage based on measurements of skinfold thickness. The easiest way to use one of these is to find a free online calculator that allows you to input your data and does the math for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/pilates-collage.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_BMI_Formula\"><\/span><b>The BMI Formula<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMI, which stands for body mass index, is a way to estimate fat based only on your height and weight. The formula applies to both adult women and men (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/educational\/lose_wt\/BMI\/bmi-m.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight in kg\/height in m<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">703 x weight in lbs.\/height in in<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Results<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"wpsm_comptable_shortcode_echo\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpsm-comptable-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<table id=\"wpsm-table-450\" class=\"wpsm-comptable \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<thead class=\"wpsm-thead wpsm-thead-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th class=\"placeholder wpsm-placeholder\"><\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<th>Index<\/th>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/thead>\n\t\t\t\t\t<tbody class=\"wpsm-tbody\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnderweight\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<18.5\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNormal weight\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t18.5\u201324.9\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOverweight\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t25\u201329.9\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<tr>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tObese\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<td>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t30 and more\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tr>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/tbody>\n\t\t\t\t<\/table>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_YMCA_formula\"><\/span><b>The YMCA formula<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are different versions of this one for women and men. It gives you an estimation of body fat percentage (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.easycalculation.com\/health\/ymca-body-fat.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">):<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For women: 76.76 + 4.15*waist size &#8211; 0.082*weight\/waist size<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For men: 98.42 + 4.15*waist size &#8211; 0.082*weight\/weight<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/fastest-way-to-lose-100-pounds\/\">The Fastest Way to Lose 100 Pounds \u2013 A Sustainable Approach<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_Having_40_Body_Fat_Bad\"><\/span><b>Why Is Having 40% Body Fat Bad?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a body fat percentage above 40% may increase your risk for several negative health consequences. These include an increased risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2585758\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excess body fat also puts extra strain on your joints and bones, which increases the risk for conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. It can also impact your mental health, leading to low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC2585758\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, carrying excess <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/how-to-reduce-body-fat-percentage\/\">body fat<\/a> can affect your daily activities and quality of life. You may experience difficulty performing physical tasks or participating in activities you enjoy due to a lack of energy and mobility limitations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/olesia-food.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_With_40_Body_Fat\"><\/span><b>What to Do With 40% Body Fat<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a body fat percentage above 40%, it\u2019s important to take action to reduce it and improve your overall health. Here are some steps you can take:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Consult a Healthcare Professional<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you make any significant changes to your diet or exercise routine, you should seek guidance from a healthcare professional. They can help determine your current body fat percentage and develop a plan that is tailored to your specific needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Improve Your Nutrition<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To reduce <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/essential-body-fat\/\">body fat<\/a>, consume fewer calories than you burn through daily life and physical activity. Focus on incorporating whole, nutritious foods into your diet and limit ultra-processed and high-calorie foods (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jomes.org\/journal\/view.html?doi=10.7570\/jomes20065\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These changes to your eating habits are necessary:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reduce portion sizes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Be mindful of how much you\u2019re eating and avoid overeating. You may count your calories and keep a food diary to monitor your intake.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Choose lean protein sources<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Opt for lean proteins such as chicken, fish, tofu, and legumes instead of fatty meats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; These foods are nutrient-dense and low in calories, which makes them a great choice for weight loss.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Limit added sugars and saturated fats<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; These can contribute to excess body fat and increase the risk of chronic diseases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Drink more water<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Staying hydrated can help you feel full and prevent overeating.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The BetterMe: Health Coaching app will provide you with a host of fat-frying fitness routines that\u2019ll scare the extra pounds away and turn your body into a masterpiece! <a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get your life moving in the right direction<\/a> with BetterMe!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/nutrition-3.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Incorporate Exercise into Your Routine<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical activity burns calories and helps build muscle mass, which can increase your metabolism. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, such as brisk walking or cycling. Include strength-training exercises to build lean muscle mass and improve body composition (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/fitness\/fitness-basics\/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s important to find physical activities you enjoy as it will be easier to stick with them in the long term. Try different types of exercises until you find what works best for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Move More Throughout the Day<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to structured exercise, it&#8217;s important to remain active throughout the day. Simple activities such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/walking-6-miles-a-day\/\">walking<\/a> instead of driving can make a significant difference in burning calories and reducing body fat.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Get Adequate Sleep<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of sleep has been linked to an increased appetite and weight gain, including excess body fat. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to help regulate the hormones that control appetite and metabolism (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4861065\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Collage-Banner-somatic-exercices-2.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Prioritize Stress Management<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chronic, unmanaged stress can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of obesity. Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time outdoors (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6296480\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Seek Support<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making lifestyle changes can be challenging, so it&#8217;s important to have a support system in place. Consider joining a support group or working with a coach to help you stay motivated and on track.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/endomorph-body-type-weight-loss\/\">Endomorph Body Type Weight Loss: 6 Facts And What Works<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Get_from_40_Body_Fat_to_25\"><\/span><b>How to Get from 40% Body Fat to 25%<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing your body fat percentage from 40% to a healthier range, such as 25%, takes time and effort. It&#8217;s important to approach it with patience and consistency. Here are a few tips that can help you get there:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Set realistic goals<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Aim for gradual progress rather than trying to lose all the excess body fat in a short period of time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Keep track of your progress <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Use tools such as body composition scales or take measurements regularly to track your progress and stay motivated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Be consistent with your nutrition and exercise habits<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Stick to healthy eating patterns and regular exercise routines, even when you may not see immediate results.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Focus on sustainable changes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Rather than looking for quick fixes, focus on making long-term lifestyle changes you can maintain. This will help prevent regaining the weight once you\u2019ve reached your goal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stay positive<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Celebrate small victories and don&#8217;t let setbacks discourage you from continuing on your journey toward a healthier body fat percentage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Banner-Mood-Walking-1-1.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_actually_have_abs_with_40_body_fat\"><\/span><strong>Can you actually have abs with 40% body fat?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, you can. You can still grow muscles even if you have 40% body fat. However, the abs are likely to not be visible under the fat layer.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_it_take_to_go_from_40_body_fat_to_10_body_fat\"><\/span><strong>How long does it take to go from 40% body fat to 10% body fat?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is recommended to lose no more than 2 pounds per week, which means it may take you around a year to lose that much weight, depending on how many pounds it is for you (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/health\/educational\/lose_wt\/recommen.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li><h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_weight_do_I_need_to_lose_when_my_body_fat_percentage_is_40\"><\/span><strong>How much weight do I need to lose when my body fat percentage is 40%?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It depends on your height, weight, and other parameters. The amount of weight a person with 40% fat should lose is unique for everyone. Please consult a healthcare provider before you dive into exercise and dieting.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2196&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=40%_Body_Fat\" target=\"_blank\"><video autoplay=\"autoplay\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"muted\" playsinline=\"playsinline\" width=\"777\"><source src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/ezgif.com-gif-to-mp4-1.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/><\/video><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><b>The Bottom Line<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although fat is an essential part of the human body, its surplus can do more harm than good. The healthy percentage for women ranges from 14% to 31%, while it\u2019s 6% to 25% for men. Accordingly, 40% is considered to be obese, which means that the person needs to lose a lot of weight. There are various ways to do it, but what you must remember is that you shouldn\u2019t only focus on your nutrition. In addition, you need to stay active, drink a lot of water, and get enough sleep. Following these recommendations and not giving up will help you cope with obesity and live happily.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Body fat percentage is different from BMI (body mass index), which measures the ratio between weight and height. While BMI gives an estimation of total body fat based on weight, it doesn\u2019t consider muscle mass or distribution of body fat.\u00a0 On the other hand, body fat percentage is a more accurate measure of body composition [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":82712,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[],"coauthors":[45],"class_list":["post-5929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-weight-loss"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>40% Body Fat: Are You a Jump Away from Obesity and What Should You Do? - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"No one wants to be obese, which is why people care about their body fat percentage. Is having \u2605 40% BODY FAT \u27a4 normal or not? Read this article to find out.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"40% Body Fat: Are You a Jump Away from Obesity and What Should You Do?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"No one wants to be obese, which is why people care about their body fat percentage. Is having \u2605 40% BODY FAT \u27a4 normal or not? Read this article to find out.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"#\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-29T20:11:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/cover-40-Body-Fat-1024x640.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"BetterMe\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BetterMe\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/f540d2cf1901021da073bc2dbd65a5fc\"},\"headline\":\"40% Body Fat: Are You a Jump Away from Obesity and What Should You Do?\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-29T20:11:22+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/\"},\"wordCount\":1833,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/40-body-fat\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/cover-40-Body-Fat.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Weight Loss\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Body fat percentage is different from BMI (body mass index), which measures the ratio between weight and height. While BMI gives an estimation of total body fat based on weight, it doesn\u2019t consider muscle mass or distribution of body fat.\u00a0<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span data-sheets-root=\\\"1\\\"><\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">On the other hand, body fat percentage is a more accurate measure of body composition as it takes into account the proportion of fat tissue in relation to lean body mass.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">The recommended body fat percentage varies depending on age and sex, but generally, healthy levels range between 21% and 35% for women and 8% and 24% for men (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.medicinenet.com\/what_should_your_body_fat_percentage_be\/article.htm\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">). Anything above these ranges can be considered high and may indicate an increased risk of health complications.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Here's what you need to know.<\/span>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>Body Fat: Why Is it Important?<\/b><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It\u2019s present in every person\u2019s body, regardless of their lifestyle and habits. Even elite athletes have it because it plays a vital role in proper physical functions.\u00a0<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">There are several reasons why it\u2019s important, including:<\/span>\\r\\n<ul>\\r\\n \\t<li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It\u2019s a valuable source of energy. 10-15 kilos of fat can provide energy for up to 3 months (<\/span><a href=\\\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/9376885\/\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">).<\/span><\/li>\\r\\n \\t<li style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\" aria-level=\\\"1\\\"><span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">It\u2019s a great physical temperature regulator. 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While BMI gives an estimation of total body fat based on weight, it doesn\u2019t consider muscle mass or distribution of body fat.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, body fat percentage is a more accurate measure of body composition as it takes into account the proportion of fat tissue in relation to lean body mass.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The recommended body fat percentage varies depending on age and sex, but generally, healthy levels range between 21% and 35% for women and 8% and 24% for men (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicinenet.com\/what_should_your_body_fat_percentage_be\/article.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). 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