Kelly et al. (NHANES DXA)
About this reference
Kelly and colleagues analysed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition data from the NHANES survey, a nationally representative study of the US population. DXA is considered one of the most accurate methods for measuring body fat percentage in large populations. The resulting reference values provide age- and sex-specific percentiles for body fat percentage based on a large, diverse, and representative sample.
Known limitations
- US population only — Americans tend to have 5–10 percentage points higher body fat than European or Asian populations at the same age and BMI, so these percentiles skew higher than they would in most other countries
- Cross-sectional design means values reflect population averages, not individual changes over time
- NHANES participants are non-institutionalised civilians, excluding certain populations