Answer:
1.Essential body fat is approximately 3% of body mass for men and 12% of body mass for women. Women are believed to have more essential body fat than men because of childbearing and hormonal functions. In general, the total body fat percentage (essential plus storage fat) is between 12% and 15% for young men and between 25% and 28% for young women {Lohman, 1993 #4151} (see also table 13.1). Average percentages body fat for the general population and for various athletes are presented in table 13.2.
Table 13.1 Body fat percentages for males and females and their classification
Males
Females
Rating
5-10
8-15
Athletic
11-14
16-23
Good
15-20
24-30
Acceptable
21-24
31-36
Overweight
>24
>37
Obese
Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimates. The term athletic in this context refers to sports where low body fat is an advantage.
2.The individual has no control over some of these factors, including developmental determinants, genetic makeup, gender, and age. Other factors that influence body weight over which the individual has potential control include level of physical activity, diet, and some environmental and social factors.
3. Body fat percentage distinguishes fat from muscle and calculates the percentage of body fat in the body. While BMI is a rough estimate of body fat, body fat percentage is a more accurate number.
