What is lean mass?
Lean body mass, or lean mass, is obtained by calculating the difference between total body weight and total fat mass. Put simply, it is the combined weight of all of the components in the body besides fat.
Lean mass includes the weight of all the following elements which make up your body:
- Organs
- Bones
- Body Water
- Muscle Mass
Why is lean mass important?
Muscles and organs have a higher metabolic rate than fat, meaning that an optimal percentage of lean mass will boost your metabolism and make it easier for you to maintain the healthy weight you want. A high proportion of lean body mass is also proven to reduce inflammation, as the presence of too many fat cells can inhibit healthy body function and promote inflammation or development of chronic disease.
What is a good percentage of lean mass?
According to experts[1], the tables below can help you better understand your results. Please keep in mind that these recommendations serve as a guideline, and do not reflect all body types.
Male/Men lean mass range (as a percentage of weight):
|
Age |
Low |
Optimal |
High |
|
19-39 |
0% - 80% |
80% - 92% |
92% - 100% |
|
40-59 |
0% - 78% |
78% - 89% |
89% - 100% |
|
60-79 |
0% - 75% |
75% - 87% |
87% - 100% |
Female/Women lean mass range (as a percentage of weight):
|
Age |
Low |
Optimal |
High |
|
19-39 |
0% - 67% |
67% - 79% |
79% - 100% |
|
40-59 |
0% - 66% |
66% - 77% |
77% - 100% |
|
60-79 |
0% - 64% |
64% - 76% |
76% - 100% |
[1] Imboden MT, Swartz AM, Finch HW, Harber MP, Kaminsky LA. Reference standards for lean mass measures using GE dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in Caucasian adults. PLoS One. 2017 Apr 20;12(4):e0176161. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176161. PMID: 28426779; PMCID: PMC5398591.