Ideal Body Fat Percentages for Men by Age
| Age Bracket |
Athletic Range |
Good Fitness |
Acceptable / Average |
Overfat |
| 20 – 29 Years | 8% – 12% | 13% – 16% | 17% – 20% | 21%+ |
| 30 – 39 Years | 10% – 14% | 15% – 18% | 19% – 22% | 23%+ |
| 40 – 49 Years | 12% – 16% | 17% – 20% | 21% – 24% | 25%+ |
| 50 – 59 Years | 14% – 18% | 19% – 22% | 23% – 26% | 27%+ |
| 60+ Years | 16% – 20% | 21% – 24% | 25% – 28% | 29%+ |
Ideal Body Fat Percentages for Women by Age
| Age Bracket |
Athletic Range |
Good Fitness |
Acceptable / Average |
Overfat |
| 20 – 29 Years | 16% – 20% | 21% – 24% | 25% – 28% | 29%+ |
| 30 – 39 Years | 17% – 21% | 22% – 25% | 26% – 29% | 30%+ |
| 40 – 49 Years | 18% – 23% | 24% – 27% | 28% – 31% | 32%+ |
| 50 – 59 Years | 20% – 25% | 26% – 29% | 30% – 33% | 34%+ |
| 60+ Years | 22% – 27% | 28% – 31% | 32% – 35% | 36%+ |
How Body Fat Changes as We Age
As both men and women age, natural hormonal shifts (such as decreases in testosterone, growth hormone, and estrogen) lead to modest decreases in bone mineral density and skeletal muscle mass. Consequently, healthy acceptable body fat ranges gradually shift upward by approximately 1% to 2% per decade without increasing chronic health risks.