10/2/2023 0 Comments Body fat percentages of womenThat is why women store more of their fat in their breasts and hip/buttocks region, and why men store fat in the midsection. 3-4 Estrogen and testosterone circulating throughout the body communicate with fat cells on a regular basis and play a role in not only how fat is metabolized or broken down, but also where fat is stored. Adipocytes (the scientific name for fat cells) have varying numbers of sex hormone receptors on their surface. ![]() So, why do women have 4 times as much essential fat? Unfortunately, we don’t fully understand why, but the data strongly suggest that it is protective and related to reproductive health. Without this fat, the body does not function properly, and entire systems like our immune systems and neurological system will be affected. 1 Essential fat is a percentage of total body fat mass that is necessary for insulation, protecting our vital organs, for vitamin storage, and building key cell messengers like steroids that are necessary for effective cell communication. For starters, men on average have about 3% essential fat as part of their composition – women have 12%. One of these important differences is in the way men and women use and store fat. From cell, system, and to the whole person, there are various aspects of our biology that operate differently based on sex. ![]() Whether we want to accept it or not, men and women are very different biologically. The answer to both of these questions can be found in a better understanding of the physiological differences that exist between men and women. Have you ever wondered why women tend to have higher body fat percentages than men? Are you a relatively fit woman who measured your body composition and were shocked that your number was in the mid or even high 20’s for fat mass percentage? Heather Huntsman, Ph.D., CSSC, explains the differences between men and women when it comes to storing fat to help place the focus on realistic, healthy body composition goals.
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