Body fat is essential for the human body. Its primary function is to provide energy to the body. Body fat builds up differently in men and women. Recent studies explore the health consequences ensuing from these differences.
Usually, men have an ‘apple-shaped’ body. This is because men accumulate visceral fat (That is stored in the abdominal cavity – around the belly). Women depict a ‘pear-shaped’ body because they have more fat deposits around the hips. Visceral fat is extremely dangerous because it affects the internal organs of your body, including the liver, intestines, and pancreas.
What is visceral fat?
Visceral fat is body fat that is stored within the abdominal cavity and is therefore stored around a number of important internal organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Storing higher amounts of visceral fat is associated with increased risks of a number of health problems including type 2 diabetes.
Body Fat Percentage in Men and Women
To evaluate your health, it is essential that you know your Body Fat Percentage (BFP). A healthy body fat percentage depends on a number of variables such as age, body type, gender, etc. For example, the BFP range tends to be higher in women than in men because women require more body fat. The average BFP of females falls between 25% and 31%.
What is a good body fat percentage?
| Gender | Age | BFP Range |
| Men | 20-40 | 8%-19% |
| 41-60 | 11%-22% | |
| 61-79 | 13%-25% | |
| Women | 20-40 | 21%-33% |
| 41-60 | 23%-25% | |
| 61-79 | 24%-36% |
What body fat percentage is unhealthy?
Body fat percentage below or above the normal range (as stated above) is considered unhealthy. For instance, if the BFP of a woman aged between 20-40 years is more than 30%, then it is considered overweight. Similarly, if a 50-year-old man has BFP below 11%, he is deemed underweight. Nevertheless, there are several ways to maintain a good body fat percentage.
How to Lose Body Fat Percentage?
Many people come up with questions like – Is it hard to lose body fat percentage? Certainly not, unless you have a serious condition (obesity or PCOD). You can reduce your BFP by following the pointers below-
- Follow a protein-rich diet – It will decrease your appetite, reduce calorie intake, and preserve muscle mass. Good protein sources include dairy products, meat, eggs, legumes, seafood, etc.
- Add vinegar to your diet – Induces a sense of feeling full, lowers body fat, and reduces calorie intake
- Eat more healthy fats – Helps you burn fat quickly. Coconut oil, olive oil, and avocados are good sources.
- Reduce crab intake – Cutting down on refined carbohydrates like white bread/rice, pasta, snacks, cereals, etc. can help you shed that extra flab.
Besides following a healthy diet, you should also engage in physical activities to bring down your body fat percentage to its normal range. Exercise more often – begin strength training to get rid of belly fat and build muscle mass.
Book Obesity Test - Starting from Rs. 1100/- Only
Free Home Sample Collection
Takes Just 5 Min
In All Major Cities and Towns
Process
1.A certified lab technician from EZ Health will be assigned for your sample collection 12-24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment
2.Samples will be collected by our lab technician at your house in the scheduled slot
3.Your reports will be sent through email, Text message and WhatsApp within 24 – 48 hours
Source: https://bit.ly/37EpIRH
