Is 26% body fat good for a man?
26% is in the obese category on the ACE chart for men (25% and over). On the ranges researchers matched to BMI, it is in the obese range at ages 20 to 39 and in the overweight range at ages 40 to 79. It is leaner than about 51 in 100 US men aged 20 to 39 in the CDC survey.
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Obese
- Essential fat 2 to 5%
- Athletes 6 to 13%
- Fitness 14 to 17%
- Average 18 to 24%
- Obese 26% 25% and over
Source: American Council on Exercise
26% by age
Outside the healthy range
- Ages 20 to 39Obese range
- Ages 40 to 59Overweight range
- Ages 60 to 79Overweight range
Source: Gallagher et al., 2000
Leaner than about 51 in 100 at ages 20 to 39
- Ages 20 to 39 (average 26.1%)Leaner than about 51 in 100
- Ages 40 to 59 (average 28.6%)Leaner than about 69 in 100
- Ages 60 to 79 (average 30.8%)Leaner than about 82 in 100
Source: CDC, NHANES 1999 to 2004
What 26% body fat looks like
26% sits between the 25% and 30% levels. Generated illustrations, not photos of real people.
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25% What 25% looks like
The midsection is soft, with fat at the waist, the sides and the lower back. There is no ab definition, the chest is softer and the face looks fuller.
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30% What 30% looks like
Fat is clearly visible around the whole waist and the lower back. The chest is soft, the face and neck are fuller, and most muscle shape is hidden.
26% body fat, answered
Is 26% body fat good for a man?
26% falls in the obese category on the American Council on Exercise chart for men. On the ranges researchers matched to BMI, it is in the obese range at ages 20 to 39 and in the overweight range at ages 40 to 79.
Is 26% body fat overweight or obese for a man?
The ACE chart for men starts the obese category at 25%, so 26% is in it. On the ranges researchers matched to BMI, overweight starts at 20% and obese at 25% for ages 20 to 39; 22% and 28% for 40 to 59; 25% and 30% for 60 to 79.
How does 26% compare with the average man?
In the CDC's national survey, 26% was leaner than about 51 in 100 US men aged 20 to 39, leaner than about 69 in 100 aged 40 to 59 and leaner than about 82 in 100 aged 60 to 79. The averages for those ages were 26.1%, 28.6% and 30.8%.
What does 26% body fat look like on a man?
It sits between the 25% and 30% 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.