healthy body fat %

I was just wondering what a healthy body fat % for a teenage (around 14-15?) girl. I'm not wondering for myself (believe me, I know I'm way under what I'm supposed to be) but my friends PE teacher told her she needed to lose weight, and she is at the 30%. It's totally unfair because she looks perfectly healthy! I try to tell her that but she doesn't listen to me, so I just needed some back up...

I'm curious how your friend's PE teacher can perform a test that she or he isn't even trained to do.

If your friend is concerned, ask her to tell her mom she needs to see a Dietition or Nutritionist to determine if her body fat percentage is unhealthy or not.

I'm not sure about teens, but a healthy body fat % for a female is around 18-25%

Mine is 30%, and while my BMI is "normal" weight, I have very very little muscle.  Your friend is probably wayyyy more fit than me as I was bed ridden for the better part of 6 years.

30% is pretty high and noticable.

Her teacher must have made a mistake then. She's a runner/soccer player and she only has the normal puberty 'chub'...

Mostlikely, even if her body fat percentage is that high (which I still doubt)  It's absolutely normal for a girl to grow into her weight.  I know I did.  The most important thing for her health is just to keep active and make smart eating choices.

I just think it's sad that her PE teacher would contribute to a young woman believing she "needs" to lose weight.  I hope your friend is smart enough to just let that comment go and just live her life happily.

If her weight ever becomes an actual issue, please help her out, don't let her go on any fad diets.  If she wants to watch her weight, it's important that she sees a Nutritionist or Dietition because teens needs are very unique.  Or, if her parents refuse... refer her to CC, we'll help keep her on track.

Thanks,

I am worried about her though. I've been struggling with an ED for the past few months and I know the warning signs. She keeps talking about joining xcountry (which is fine if you do it for the right reasons), how many calories she's burned, and she claims that she is now allergic to chocolate (entirely possible, but its just weird it happened now). She's also a vegetarian. She's always saying she wants to look like me, and I still dont look healthy, as I have tried to explain to her multiple times (I actually tell her I envy how healthy she looks, which is entirely true).

I think you're right to be worried.  She could be eating very little and exercising too much as it is.  She may be confused as to why she isn't a stick.

I hope she can get out of that way of thinking, it's very dangerous, as I'm sure you know.. Keep doing your best.  If it gets out of hand, do what you need to do to get her help.  You are probably the only one in her life that can see what is happening.

Good luck with your own battle as well.  I'm glad you can see what is healthy, that is such an awesome step in recovery.  You sound like you've really got a hold on reality and sound very smart.

You sound like a very good friend. The pressure to be skinny and to meet a certain strange standard of beauty in this society is great and impossible. 

I know you've said you talk to your friend about your weight not being healthy-- but have you ever tried to switch roles and be the advice seeker instead of the advice giver? If you start asking her for advice on how to get a healthy look like she has, maybe she'll begin to see things in a different way.

I've found this tact to work in a lot of situations I face with various people and even my kids.  They feel empowered when they can offer me their expertise on something, and I do take them very seriously-- it's not just a game.

Best wishes to you and your friend.