Is 31% body fat good for a woman?
31% is in the average category on the ACE chart for women (25 to 31%). On the ranges researchers matched to BMI, it is in the healthy range at every adult age. It is leaner than about 81 in 100 US women aged 20 to 39 in the CDC survey.
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Average
- Essential fat 10 to 13%
- Athletes 14 to 20%
- Fitness 21 to 24%
- Average 31% 25 to 31%
- Obese 32% and over
Source: American Council on Exercise
31% by age
Healthy range at every age
- Ages 20 to 39Healthy range
- Ages 40 to 59Healthy range
- Ages 60 to 79Healthy range
Source: Gallagher et al., 2000
Leaner than about 81 in 100 at ages 20 to 39
- Ages 20 to 39 (average 37.8%)Leaner than about 81 in 100
- Ages 40 to 59 (average 40.5%)Leaner than about 91 in 100
- Ages 60 to 79 (average 42.4%)Leaner than 95 in 100
Source: CDC, NHANES 1999 to 2004
What 31% body fat looks like
31% sits between the 30% and 35% levels. Generated illustrations, not photos of real people.
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30% What 30% looks like
Soft, with little visible muscle definition. Fat is spread across the hips, thighs, upper arms and stomach, and the waist is still visible.
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35% What 35% looks like
A rounder stomach and a fuller face, with more fat at the hips, thighs and upper arms and less definition at the waist.
31% body fat, answered
Is 31% body fat good for a woman?
31% falls in the average category on the American Council on Exercise chart for women. On the ranges researchers matched to BMI, it is in the healthy range at every adult age.
How does 31% compare with the average woman?
In the CDC's national survey, 31% was leaner than about 81 in 100 US women aged 20 to 39, leaner than about 91 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 31% body fat look like on a woman?
It sits between the 30% and 35% 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.