what is a healthy body fat percentage?

Having a healthy body fat percentage is essential to physical and mental wellbeing. Body fat is made up of subcutaneous fat, which is the type we can see, feel, and pinch on our bodies, and visceral fat, which lies deep within our abdominal wall. With obesity levels on the rise, it is important to understand what a healthy body fat percentage looks like, and how to maintain it.

So what exactly is a 'healthy' body fat percentage? Generally, normal or healthy levels of body fat for men typically range from 8% to 19%. For women the range tends to be between 20% to 25%, although this can vary with age and activity levels. But ultimately it comes down to the individual – meaning that a health professional should be involved in determining what's right for you.

It is important to note that while having too much body fat can lead to serious health issues such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, having too little body fat can also have negative health effects. Low levels of body fat can result in malnutrition, hormone imbalances, poor exercise/athletic performance, poor immunity as well as risks of gynaecological issues in women and fertility issues in men.

To help manage your body composition and lower your risk of serious health issues associated with an unhealthy body fat percentage there are protocols you can follow:

● Maintain a balanced diet by consuming nutritious foods such as lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats (e.g., nuts & seeds).

● Track your diet & exercise routine – knowing what you're eating and exercising regularly will help promote changes in your weight/body composition over time.

● Consume adequate amounts of water throughout the day – dehydration can worsen feelings of fatigue or irritability.

● Get enough sleep – research has shown that inadequate sleep affects our ability to regulate hunger hormone called ghrelin (which makes us crave food more).

● Practice stress-management techniques like yoga or mindfulness – when we are stressed out our bodies produce the hormone cortisol which tells us to gain weight; managing it proactively helps combat this response!