What constitutes a “healthy” level of body fat depends a lot on your sex and your goals. If you’re not worried about keeping your body fat low for aesthetic or performance goals, then it’s perfectly OK to have the goal of keeping your body fat percentage anywhere below “obese” and above “essential fat levels.” WOMEN:
Obese: > 31%
Acceptable: 25-31%
Fit: 21-24%
Athletic: 14-20%
Essential fat levels: < 13%
MEN:
Obese: > 25%
Acceptable: 18-25%
Fit: 14-17%
Athletic: 6-13%
Essential fat levels: < 2-5%
TO DETERMINE LEAN/FAT MASS:
Fat mass: Weight x body fat percentage
Lean mass: Weight – (weight x body fat percentage)