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- Average body fat percentage
Average body fat percentage
In the CDC's national survey, the average US man had 28% body fat and the average woman 40%. Both rise from age 20 to 79. These are DXA results for 13,091 adults.
Average body fat by age
Average body fat rises from age 20 to 79 for both men and women. The middle half is the range between the 25th and 75th percentile: half of the people in each group were inside it.
| Age | Average | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 12 to 15 | 25.2% | 18.6 to 31.1% |
| Ages 16 to 19 | 22.9% | 17.0 to 27.5% |
| Ages 20 to 39 | 26.1% | 21.2 to 30.4% |
| Ages 40 to 59 | 28.6% | 25.2 to 32.2% |
| Ages 60 to 79 | 30.8% | 27.3 to 34.4% |
| Ages 80 and over | 30.7% | 27.3 to 33.9% |
| Age | Average | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 12 to 15 | 32.5% | 27.4 to 37.3% |
| Ages 16 to 19 | 34.8% | 30.0 to 39.2% |
| Ages 20 to 39 | 37.8% | 32.5 to 42.9% |
| Ages 40 to 59 | 40.5% | 36.4 to 45.1% |
| Ages 60 to 79 | 42.4% | 38.9 to 46.2% |
| Ages 80 and over | 40.4% | 36.9 to 44.4% |
Source: CDC, NHANES 1999 to 2004
The average is above the healthy range
For ages 20 to 39, researchers matched a healthy BMI to 8% to 19% body fat for men and 21% to 32% for women. The survey averages at those ages were 26.1% for men and 37.8% for women, above the top of each range.
The body fat charts show the healthy range for every age group, next to the fitness categories from essential fat to obese.
Average body fat, answered
What is the average body fat percentage for men?
28% for US men aged 20 and over in the CDC's national survey, measured by DXA. By age group it went from 26.1% at ages 20 to 39 to 30.8% at ages 60 to 79.
What is the average body fat percentage for women?
40% for US women aged 20 and over in the same survey. By age group it went from 37.8% at ages 20 to 39 to 42.4% at ages 60 to 79.
Is average body fat healthy?
No. For ages 20 to 39, researchers matched a healthy BMI to 8% to 19% body fat for men and 21% to 32% for women. The survey averages at that age were 26.1% and 37.8%.
When was this measured?
The DXA scans were done from 1999 to 2004 and published by the CDC in 2010, with results for more than 13,000 adults.
How do I find my own body fat percentage?
Measure your neck and waist (and hips, for women) and use the body fat calculator, or estimate it from one photo with Bodyscanly.
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- Sources
- Borrud LG, Flegal KM, Looker AC, et al. Body composition data for individuals 8 years of age and older: U.S. population, 1999 to 2004. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 11(250), 2010. Link
- Gallagher D, Heymsfield SB, Heo M, et al. Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2000;72(3):694-701. Table 4. Link
- These ranges are general guides. Bodyscanly gives estimates, not medical advice.