How much body fat is healthy for children?

Following the latest medical research you are now able to monitor your child's body fat percentage and encourage them to stay within the healthy body fat range as they develop. As a parent you will already be aware of your child's health and general wellbeing. By also using a Tanita Monitor you can have even greater confidence that your family is leading a healthier lifestyle.

_{Jebb S, McCarthy D, Fry T, Prentice AM (2004). New body fat reference curves for children. Obesity Reviews (NAASO Suppl) A156}

What is Visceral Fat?

Visceral Fat (Abdominal Fat) is the fat that surrounds the vital organs on the trunk / stomach area of the body. For a quick easy explanation - try tensing your tummy muscles, then pinch the fat by your belly button.  What you can pinch is subcutaneous fat (under the skin) it is not visceral fat.  Visceral fat is the fat you can't pinch - it is on the inside of your muscle wall.  Typically this type of fat is most often found in high levels in middle aged men (often mistakenly referred to as a beer belly).  Men have a genetic predisposition to accumulating fat in this way, whereas women are more likely to store fat subcutaneously.  (Subcutaneous fat has been shown to be associated with the nutrition required by a developing foetus, and for breast feeding).  High Visceral Fat levels increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Lowering Visceral Fat levels can stabilise insulin action substantially, and reduce the risk of diabetes and other related illnesses.

Healthy Visceral Fat Levels Chart

Your Tanita Body Composition Monitor will assess your visceral fat level into the following categories : 

Low Risk	Higher Risk
1 - 12	13 - 59