Is 16% body fat good for a woman?
16% is in the athletes category on the ACE chart for women (14 to 20%). On the ranges researchers matched to BMI, it is below the healthy range at every adult age. It is leaner than 95 in 100 US women aged 20 to 39 in the CDC survey.
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Athletes
- Essential fat 10 to 13%
- Athletes 16% 14 to 20%
- Fitness 21 to 24%
- Average 25 to 31%
- Obese 32% and over
Source: American Council on Exercise
16% by age
Below the healthy range at every age
- Ages 20 to 39Below healthy range
- Ages 40 to 59Below healthy range
- Ages 60 to 79Below healthy range
Source: Gallagher et al., 2000
Leaner than 95 in 100 at ages 20 to 39
- Ages 20 to 39 (average 37.8%)Leaner than 95 in 100
- Ages 40 to 59 (average 40.5%)Leaner than 95 in 100
- Ages 60 to 79 (average 42.4%)Leaner than 95 in 100
Source: CDC, NHANES 1999 to 2004
What 16% body fat looks like
16% sits between the 15% and 20% levels. Generated illustrations, not photos of real people.
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15% What 15% looks like
Very lean. Ab lines and the separation between muscles in the shoulders, arms and legs are clearly visible, and veins often show. This is typical of physique competitors close to a contest, and it is hard to hold.
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20% What 20% looks like
Lean and athletic. Some ab definition shows in good light, with clear muscle shape in the arms, shoulders and legs, and a defined waist.
16% body fat, answered
Is 16% body fat good for a woman?
16% falls in the athletes category on the American Council on Exercise chart for women. On the ranges researchers matched to BMI, it is below the healthy range at every adult age.
Is 16% body fat too low for a woman?
Essential fat, 10 to 13% for women, is the minimum the body needs to function, and 16% is above it. On the ranges researchers matched to BMI, the healthy range starts at 21% for ages 20 to 39, 23% for 40 to 59 and 24% for 60 to 79.
How does 16% compare with the average woman?
In the CDC's national survey, 16% was leaner than 95 in 100 US women aged 20 to 39, leaner than 95 in 100 aged 40 to 59 and leaner than 95 in 100 aged 60 to 79. The averages for those ages were 37.8%, 40.5% and 42.4%.
What does 16% body fat look like on a woman?
It sits between the 15% and 20% levels, which are shown in the pictures on this page. The same number looks different on different bodies, because of muscle, height, age and where fat is stored.
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- Sources
- American Council on Exercise. What are the guidelines for percentage of body fat loss? 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
- 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
- These ranges are general guides. Bodyscanly gives estimates, not medical advice.