In its place, some are proposing body fat percentage.

As such, its a measurement that allows doctors to provide more individualized care, he says.

What is considered a healthy body fat percentage?

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Put simply, child rearing, says Yen.

Still, this is not a case of the lower the better.

A body fat percentage under 14 can present its own health risks.

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Body fat is thebodys natural storage of energy, explains Elmardi.

If you dont have enough, your body wont be able to function optimally.

Visceral body fat (the kind stored around the organs) alsoproduces hormones.

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Having too little can lead the body to make less estrogen, which can impact a persons menstrual cycle.

Low body fat during pregnancy has also beenlinkedwith higher rates of miscarriage.

Its Amazing How Its All Connected.

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So… shouldIbe tracking my body fat percentage?

But, body fat percentage is not a good measure foreveryoneto keep track of.

There are a number of mechanisms and machines that are designed to spit out a number.

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), and body fat percentage.

The jury is out on how accurate these scales are.

One verysmall studysuggests not very, but Daugherty says they provide a rough enough estimate.

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These are all considered to be quite accurate, but usually cost a pretty penny (or 10).

Of course, no single number tells the whole story.

Theothermeasures you track will vary based on your overall health and fitness goals.

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