Women generally have a higher percentage of body fat than men.
Understanding Body Fat Differences Between Genders
Several factors contribute to the difference in body fat composition between men and women:
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Hormonal Influences: Estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, plays a significant role in fat storage. Studies suggest estrogen reduces a woman's ability to burn energy after eating, leading to increased fat accumulation. ^1 This is further supported by the observation that women store more fat in the gluteal-femoral region (hips and thighs), while men tend to store more fat in the abdomen. ^2
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Physiological Differences: Men naturally have a higher proportion of muscle mass and a faster metabolism, which contributes to their lower body fat percentage. ^7 Fat in normal women represents between 18% and 20% of body weight, whereas in men it represents only 10% to 15%. [^8, ^9]
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Societal and Lifestyle Factors: While biological factors play a crucial role, societal expectations and lifestyle choices also influence body fat distribution and overall weight. However, these are beyond the scope of this direct answer to the question.
Prevalence of Obesity
While women tend to have a higher percentage of body fat, it's important to note that the prevalence of obesity (defined as excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health) varies significantly between genders and across populations. While more women are often classified as obese than men overall, the numbers vary greatly by country and other factors. ^3 Data from the CDC show differences in obesity prevalence between men and women, but this doesn't necessarily define who "gets more fat" but rather the statistical likelihood of being classified as obese. ^4
