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Monday, November, 23, 2009
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should i be concerned

jake
jake
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jake is How are you doing?

08/27/08
jake
Topics:body fat

i have a bmi of 27.7% and body fat of 22%... i workout most days... i am 80kg and 170cm high and 48yrs old.... should i be concerned or am i moving in the rights direction to lose fat /  weight ?

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Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
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Lisa Nelson, RD, LN is answering your questions!
Dietician

I am a dietitian with a genetic predisposition for high...

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Hi again!

 

Here is a breakdown of body fat percents for males:

 

Essential fat 2-4% (Do not drop below 12% body fat)

Athletic 6-13%

Fitness 14-17%

Acceptable 18-25%

Obese >25% (25% or greater associated with increased health risks)

 

Here's a breakdown of BMI: (FYI - BMI is not expressed as a percent.)

Under weight <18.5

Normal weight 18.5-24.9

Overweight 25-29.9

Obese >30

 

Your BMI of 27.7 puts you in the overweight category, but your body fat percent of 22% shows that you are within an acceptable range. 

 

Body fat percent is the more direct/accurate measure.  BMI may not be as accurate due to muscle mass.

 

So, to answer your question, yes you are moving in the right direction.  If you have access to regular body fat checks (such as someone to do skinfold thickness measurements) I would use that to monitor your progress over BMI.

 

Great job working out most days!

 

All the best,

 

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN

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