Ideal body fat % for health?

(charlie3) #1

I’m interested in what is the ideal body fat percent for health because keto lets me go to most any value I want. Instead of super lean how about optimally healthy. I haven’t yet found a study that compares body fat percent to the various metabolic diseases or all cause mortality. Has anyone found that already?

BF%cal (women) = 19.2 – 0.239H + 0.8A – 0.5N
BF%cal (men) = 10.1 – 0.239H + 0.8A – 0.5N
H=height, A=abdominal circumference, N=neck circumference
measured in centimeters

Another way to estimate body fat is matching how someone looks in the mirror compared to sample body photos. There are many of those charts to choose from. I believe I posted this in a previous thread.
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+my+body+fat+percent&num=100&newwindow=1&client=tablet-android-samsung&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4y7WViqbbAhWmxlQKHUCBAEoQ_AUICygD&biw=1280&bih=800&dpr=1

(karen) #2

https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/11/07/health/20071107_FAT_GRAPHIC.html?action=click&contentCollection=Health&module=RelatedCoverage&pgtype=article&region=EndOfArticle

I personally think it’s better to work from the opposite angle - figure out what your body wants as a set point, what feels right to you, and then work from there if you have aesthetic concerns.

It also matters whether it’s “TOFI” (viceral fat) or subcutaneous fat.

(charlie3) #3

The first priority is to reduce fat around, and in, organs so there is no stress on those. My hunch is that a small waiist and flat abs get you there but it would be nice to read some science. If the body was always seeking healthy values there wouldn’t need to be weight loss diets.

Like one of the catagories here says, where’s the science?

(charlie3) #4

I looked at the NY Times graphic. I wonder why they left out people who are the right weight? What about that big space between underweight and overweight? Are they trying to say that quitting smoking is worth while but diet and exercise is not?

(Ron) #5

May be irrelevant to original post and if so I apologize.

The question: It seems like it’s easier to lose weight in certain spots than others—do some body parts slim down at a faster rate?

The expert: Janet Brill, Ph.D., R.D., a Philadelphia-based nutritionist

The answer: Yes—but where the fat melts off first is totally different for everyone and has a lot to do with your genetically determined body profile. “If you tend to gain weight around your waist, you’ll likely lose weight from your midsection first as well,” says Brill. Meanwhile, if extra poundage goes straight to your boobs—as it does for many women—you’ll probably notice it leave your chest first, too.

As said above I also think that the body would determine the best level and if you want to change aesthetically then go from there.

(karen) #6

I thought that too, but then I realized the graphic is for the varying body fat percentages compared to normal weight. So I’m thinking ‘normal’ weight would just be a vertical line with nothing sticking out on either side.

(charlie3) #7

I looked at the study you linked. Their first sentene, that exercise doesn’t help with fat loss, doesn’t hold true for me. According to cronometer my age and weight adjusted BMR is about 1400 calories per day. My activity, 80 calories per mile for walking, 8 calories per minute for airdyne sessions and about 150 calories for an hour liifing session. Overall those activities increase my calories burned by 30%. Now add in keto, with it’s more muted hunger signals, zero snacks and eating 12 times a week instead of 35. For fat burning I eat break even calories for 6 days then zero calories for one day. Trying to grow some muscle has me consuming 3-400 extra calories for 6 days then zero calories on the weekly zero calorie day. It works for me and is low stress.

I’m interested in body fat percent for health because may be I’ve been a bit too successful reducing body fat. I’ve been more low energy than usual in recent days and looking for causes.

(Ron) #8

I understand and your routine sounds like a good one IMO. I am sure you have probable reviewed this avenue but…being on Keto and lipolysis adapted and the preferred fuel by the body being “fat”, if you have reduced you % of body fat leaving no reserve fats available, I would think you kcal consumption needs to increase to maintain maximum energy levels. Matching them levels would maintain overall weight and not increase nor decrease weight. My first thought.:thinking:

(Vincent Hall) #9

Curiously I was at the doctors last week, sorting out some issues and arranging further bloods.
He ran my details through some program on his PC and came up with 19.8% body fat and 10 kilos under weight! Doesn’t make sense that as if I added 10 kilos of weight to my body in the form of fat as Im fairly lean right now, that would be around 27% fat which puts me in the “unheathy” range. Im still working on building more muscle but I’ve always been a slight guy so at 54 it’s not easy.
\v/