Body Fat Percentage
Body-fat percentage estimates fat mass as a proportion of total body mass.
Definition
Body-fat percentage is estimated fat mass divided by body mass and expressed as a percentage. It differs from BMI and from where fat is distributed.
CDC NHANES · body-composition procedures · CDC · BMI considerations for practitioners
Measurement and interpretation
DXA, skinfolds, bioimpedance and other methods use different assumptions and have measurement error. Results from different methods are not automatically interchangeable, and one percentage alone does not diagnose health or predict performance.
CDC NHANES · body-composition procedures · CDC · BMI considerations for practitioners
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FAQ
Is body-fat percentage measured exactly?
No. It is an estimate whose uncertainty depends on the method, protocol, device and person.
CDC NHANES · body-composition procedures · CDC · BMI considerations for practitioners
What percentage is healthy?
No single cut-off fits every age, sex and clinical context. Interpret a result with its method and appropriate professional guidance.
CDC NHANES · body-composition procedures · CDC · BMI considerations for practitioners
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