Ideal Body Fat Percentage for Women: Health & Risks

The body has free-form mass and fat mass. The free form mass is made up of muscles, bones, cartilage, ligaments, fluids and skin. Fat mass is just that; it's the amount of fat in the body. When it comes to measuring fat mass, it is based on body fat percentage. Healthy body fat percentages for women vary depending on their lifestyles.

Significance

• If you are a woman and your body fat is 32 percent or higher, you are considered obese. This is a risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Essential

• There is a certain amount of body fat that is vital for life. It is 10 to 12 percent for women, which can be dangerous to the organs and brain.

Athletes

• A healthy body fat percentage for women who are athletes is about 14 to 20 percent.

Fitness

• Some women who are regular fitness enthusiasts have a body fat percentage of 21 to 24 percent.

Average

• The average body fat percentage for women who do not do any type of extreme sports or exercise is 25 to 31 percent.