Hi,
If you are female:
A body fat percent of 21.7 is healthy. You need a minimum body fat percent of 17% to start menstruating. Throughout puberty body fat gradually increases to an average of 23% for females. A normal male body fat is 12%, so much lower than females due to greater muscle mass.
The following is a guide for an adult female. You can use it as a reference for comparison.
Body fat between 14-20% is considered athletic.
Body fat 21-24% considered a fitness level.
Body fat 25-31% is acceptable.
Body fat percentages greater than 32% are defined as obese.
By being physically active and selecting healthy foods you should be able to maintain a body fat percent in the healthy range. Calculating your BMI is another method you can use.
Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
Lower Cholesterol, Control Blood Pressure, Lose Weight