High Body Fat %

dbrookf

I am a 5'6'' female weighing 9st 4lbs and very slim! BUT have just been told I have 36% body fat!!

I do a lot of walking but don't have time for gyms etc as I work away a lot....

Anyone know what I should do? anyone else found themselves in the same predicament? if exercise is the key - what type?

Thanks (from a slim fatty!)

Steve-o

Firstly, how did you find out that you are 36% fat? If you are slim, this seems unlikely.

dbrookf

Steve-o wrote: »

Firstly, how did you find out that you are 36% fat? If you are slim, this seems unlikely.

Had an all over medical last w/e as part of this research programme that I signed up to do every few years - they do blood pressure, bmi, etc... and yes it is true!

I am a veggie and do eat healthily but obviously like a bit of chocolate etc now and again!

Steve-o

BMI isn't necessarily an accurate measurement for a number of people. It's more a guideline for the general population. Is BMI the only check that they used?

I'd speak to your doc before you decide on anything drastic.

dbrookf

bmi was one of the checks; the other was the body fat percentage that I mentioned and that's what's worrying me! there is something about hidden body fat that I've heard of which could be more harmful than normal fat on the outside!

Steve-o

According to a few online BMI checks you are in the healthy range. Are you sure that they knew how to operate the body fat equipment properly?

It's a very odd composition if you are slim, and walk a lot.

dbrookf

Steve-o wrote: »

According to a few online BMI checks you are in the healthy range. Are you sure that they knew how to operate the body fat equipment properly?

It's a very odd composition if you are slim, and walk a lot.

healthy bmi yes - but not healthy body fat composition! very reputable national company took all measurements on the day: http://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/about-biobank-uk/

Person_one

I have to agree, that doesn't sound right at all. When I was a similar weight my body fat percentage was in the low twenties and I wasn't a gym bunny either.

Think about it, that number suggests that over a third of your body is made of fat, more than 3 stone of just fat in a 9 stone person doesn't make any sense!

What's your body shape like? Did they do a cholesterol test? What was your BP? I wouldn't get too worried about this, just eat healthily and perhaps try to up your cardiovascular exercise so that you're raising your heart rate and getting out of breath a few times a week.

claire16c

I agree that sounds wrong.

madtrekker

I would get a 2nd opinion on the body fat measurement. I'm 5ft 6, and weigh just short of 10st. I wear a size 12 and have plenty of wobbly bits and yet my body fat is 27% (as measured at home but also at the gym by one of their instructors). I find it hard to believe you could weigh almost a stone less than me but have 9% more body fat. I can visibly see where mine is (!!) and it's still considerably less than your supposed measurements.

sammyjammy

dbrookf wrote: »

bmi was one of the checks; the other was the body fat percentage that I mentioned and that's what's worrying me! there is something about hidden body fat that I've heard of which could be more harmful than normal fat on the outside!

Its called viceral fat and is the fat that can coat your organs, you're right it does have serious consequences and can be common in outwardly skinny/slim people but I don't think it would be measured in your body fat %. As I understand it the best way to measure body fat is with calipers and then the person need sto be trained to measure you properly. How were you measured for your body fat?

I wouldn't worry about it too much anyway mine is 45% :eek: