Body Fat Percentage
Body fat percentage measures the proportion of body weight from fat, providing a more accurate health picture than BMI alone.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Body fat percentage measures what portion of your total body weight comes from fat. Unlike BMI, which only looks at height and weight, body fat percentage gives a more accurate picture of your health by distinguishing between fat and lean tissue like muscle.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Body fat percentage is the proportion of total body mass composed of adipose tissue, assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), or skinfold measurements. For Singaporean adults, healthy ranges are approximately 18–24% for men and 25–31% for women, with values above these thresholds associated with increased cardiometabolic risk independent of BMI.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
BMI alone can be misleading — someone with high muscle mass may be classified as overweight. Body fat percentage provides a clearer picture of your health and helps Dr Wang track the effectiveness of your weight management programme at Accord Medical beyond just the scale.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.