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QuickStats: Mean Percentage Body Fat,* by Age Group and Sex --- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 1999--2004

During 1999–2004, females had higher mean percentage body fat than males at all ages. Male/female differences were smallest at age 8–11 years (3.9 percentage points) but increased to 12.0 percentage points at age 16–19 years. In males, mean percentage body fat ranged from 22.9% at age 16–19 years to 30.9% at age 60–79 years. In females, mean percentage body fat ranged from 32.0% at age 8–11 years to 42.4% at age 60–79 years.

* Based on whole body, dual energy, x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans.

Estimates are based on DXA scans acquired from a sample (N = 22,010) of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population.

During 1999--2004, females had higher mean percentage body fat than males at all ages. Male/female differences were smallest at age 8--11 years (3.9 percentage points) but increased to 12.0 percentage points at age 16--19 years. In males, mean percentage body fat ranged from 22.9% at age 16--19 years to 30.9% at age 60--79 years. In females, mean percentage body fat ranged from 32.0% at age 8--11 years to 42.4% at age 60--79 years.

SOURCE: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999--2004. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.htm.

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Date last reviewed: 12/30/2008

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