Is my body fat TOO low?

I was tested at 4.6% once. I stand a massive 5'11, hovering at around 140 pounds. Guy who tested me didn't say it was too low, so I'm sure yours is fine. Fatty

3-4% is as low as you want to go. google body fat % and a bunch of info will come up.

JMD

I hate you guys ... I don't know what my body fat is, but I'm 6' and weigh 220lbs ...  :-(

The current recommendation is 6-10% body fat for men and 10-15% for women who are very active. This is the minimum level!

I agree with norakraemer. Also, how accurate is this DEXA machine? Every body fat measurement technique I've ever heard of has lots of caveats. My Tanita has me at 5%, which is complete crap. I just pay attention to changes in the reading from day to day, rather than the absolute number it gives me. So, you should figure out how much error is in the measurement and then decide whether you should be concerned that it said exactly 6 percent.

As far as changing your training, I think body fat becomes an issue in longer distance events because your body has to start eating itself. Do you have trouble with endurance? If so, then I would suggest doing something different. However, if you feel fine, just be happy with your skinniness and keep doing what you're doing now.

-dave

Edited by skavoovie 2005-07-03 1:50 AM

ROFL! 

It would be interesting to see how some of the different methods compared to one another when used on the same person.  Anyone have multiple methods used on them?  What were the results??

DEXA is a fairly accurate machine. The current "most accurate" way of testing is underwater weighing. We are doing research studies to compare this to the new Bod Pod machine. Our research so far has shown the Bod Pod to be as accurate as underwater weighing in adults. More studies to follow....

Body fat obsession seems to be the new thing. You will hear all kinds of claims, but try to keep a few things in mind. The human body has an essential fat make up of between 2% and 4% for men and 10% - 12% for women this varies from person to person. These are fats that enable the brain, circulatory system, hormonal and immune systems to function properly. For men to drop below 4% or a woman to drop below 10% is something which should be discussed with a registered dietician and a physician. Fat is not bad - too much fat is bad, same as too much exercise, too much water, too many truffles but I digress.

I would love to get down to 6% but I for now I will settle for the BMI of 26 down from 45 this time last year.

My recommendation:

butter your toast.

Mike

Might butter your bacon while you're at it...

mmmm...bacon dipped in syrup. That is one of the only reasons I eat pancakes -- if I just get out the syrup for my bacon, that would be wrong.

Mike

Not too low but certainly getting close...if your reading is accurate.  Professional body builders get down to 4-6% for competition and they basically look like they have a thin layer of skin stretched over muscle...and they only maintain that for a few weeks/days at a time.  I'm around 6-7% but I'm 5'9" and 175lbs so I'm not "slim".  Sounds to me like you could probably benefit from some added lean mass...do you lift weights at all?

So it's not just me? I feel better now

**********
Totally made me laugh out loud, Mike.

My thought is, if you have to ask.....you could probably stand to build up a little mass. What happens when you are at peak training? I know some people who lose a lot of weight at that time. Above all else, don' t you want to be healthy?

That's why McDonald's serve hotcakes with sausage. The salty sweet greasy goodness is nice.