Body Fat Percentage
The share of your body that is fat tissue — what BMI approximates and body composition actually measures.
Body fat percentage divides fat mass by total weight: healthy adult ranges run roughly 10–20% for men and 18–28% for women, climbing with age. It's what BMI tries to infer from height and weight — and where BMI fails athletes and the sarcopenic alike.
Measurement spans a precision-convenience spectrum: DEXA scans are the accessible gold standard, smart-scale bioimpedance is directionally useful but hydration-sensitive, and photos plus waist measurements beat both for free. Its treatment relevance is focus: the goal of medical weight loss is losing fat while keeping muscle, and tracking composition — even roughly — keeps protein and resistance training from being treated as optional extras.
This glossary entry is general information, not medical advice, and is written to be consistent with FDA prescribing information and primary trial publications as of its last review. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider for personal medical decisions.
Questions about Body Fat Percentage? Ask a doctor free.
A licensed doctor can apply this to your health history in a free telehealth consultation — booking takes about two minutes, with programs from $149/month. You're only charged after approval.
Book an Appointment