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Old 12-29-2009, 09:55 PM
EricT EricT is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,314
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There are no hard and fast rules just estimated ranges. Generally speaking, yes, below 6 percent is dipping into what could be an unhealthy range. But like everything it depends.

Only some of the fat stored in your body is stored for fuel. There is a small percentage of it that is essential fat. I don't remember for sure..someone can correct me, but I think for a male of median age that is about 3 to 4 percent.

The problem is people think that means that as long as you have 3 to 4 percent your ok. Because they don't understand that there is not a line that divides it.

That three to four percent is a percentage of your total body fat. As you dip lower and lower, that amount of essential fat dips as well. I don't know how it works exactly but basically by the time your start getting down to the four and five percent level of total body fat your essential fat can have gotten to an unhealthy level.

Different estimates float around and it certainly has to do with your activity level, etc. but for the same average male the usual healthy range tends to be given between 8 to 19%.

For some guys, 8 percent may hardly be a visible six pack. The average fitness buff esthetic goals have very little to do with general health.
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If you act sanctimonious I will just list out your logical fallacies until you get pissed off and spew blasphemous remarks.
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