Scientists have pinpointed the critical thresholds at which body fat becomes hazardous—30 percent for men and 42 percent for women—providing a more precise and reliable measure than body mass index (BMI) for evaluating obesity-related health risks.
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism analyzed data from nearly 17,000 adults of various ethnicities between the ages of 18 and 85. Researchers measured body fat percentages against BMI scores and signs of metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
