Is a 35 % body-fat reading on a DEXA scan healthy if I weigh 150 lb?

By Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed by Eureka Health Medical Group
Published: June 30, 2025Updated: June 30, 2025

Key Takeaways

For most adults, a DEXA-measured body-fat percentage of 35 % at a body weight of 150 lb is above the healthy range, especially for men and for pre-menopausal women. While not automatically dangerous, evidence links body-fat levels over 32 % (women) or 25 % (men) with higher risks of insulin resistance, fatty-liver disease, and cardiovascular events. A comprehensive health assessment—including waist circumference, blood pressure, and metabolic labs—determines whether action is needed.

Does a 35 % DEXA body-fat score count as healthy?

A DEXA scan is one of the most accurate tools for measuring body composition. At 35 % body fat, most clinicians would classify the result as "obese" for men and "borderline obese" for women. "A single number never tells the full story, but anything above the healthy cut-off does warrant a closer look," says the team at Eureka Health.

  • Healthy ranges differ by sex and ageFor men 20–59 y the evidence-based healthy range is 10–24 %; for women 20–59 y it is 18–31 %.
  • Weight alone can be misleadingAt 150 lb and 35 % fat, the fat mass is about 52 lb, while the lean mass is roughly 98 lb—knowing both matters more than scale weight.
  • Visceral versus subcutaneous fat mattersDEXA can estimate visceral adipose tissue (VAT); VAT levels above 1.5 lb raise metabolic risk even when total fat is moderate.
  • Lifestyle and metabolic markers decide riskBlood pressure, HbA1c, liver enzymes, and lipid profile refine whether 35 % fat is merely cosmetic or medically significant.
  • DEXA charts place 35 % in the obesity range for men and overweight-to-obese for women under 40DexaFit’s reference tables set the obesity cutoff above 25 % for men and above 30 % for women aged 20–40, so a 35 % reading is classified as obese for men and borderline-obese for younger women. (DexaFit)
  • Body-fat above 32 % in women correlates with higher cardiometabolic riskVerywell Health notes that women whose body fat exceeds 32 % fall into the obese category, a level linked to greater odds of hypertension, insulin resistance, and unfavorable lipid profiles. (Verywell)

When does 35 % body fat signal a red flag for disease?

Not everyone with 35 % body fat develops disease, but certain warning signs suggest you should act quickly. "If elevated fat is paired with waist circumference over 35 in in women or 40 in in men, risk accelerates," warns Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.

  • Rapid waist gain in under 6 monthsA jump of >2 inches in waist size often parallels visceral-fat expansion and insulin resistance.
  • Resting blood pressure above 130/85 mm HgHypertension co-occurs in 60 % of adults with high adiposity.
  • ALT or AST over 40 U/LLiver enzymes above this level can indicate non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease in up to 30 % of people with ≥35 % fat.
  • Fasting glucose ≥100 mg/dLPrediabetes is present in roughly one-third of adults who exceed body-fat cut-offs.
  • Shortness of breath on mild exertionEarly cardiopulmonary strain appears even before overt heart disease becomes evident.
  • Body fat ≥35 % links to higher C-reactive proteinAmong breast-cancer survivors, those with at least 35 % body fat showed significantly elevated CRP and serum amyloid-A, signaling chronic systemic inflammation. (BMC)
  • Surpassing 38 % body fat in women spikes visceral fat and insulin resistanceResearchers pinpointed a 38.3 % adiposity threshold beyond which visceral adipose tissue, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance rise sharply, marking a cardiometabolic danger zone. (Wiley)

What practical steps reduce body fat safely without losing lean mass?

Lowering fat while protecting muscle hinges on nutrition quality, progressive resistance training, and adequate recovery. "Aim to drop 0.5–1 lb of fat per week; faster loss often sacrifices muscle," advises the team at Eureka Health.

  • Prioritize 1.2–1.6 g protein per kg body weight dailyFor a 150 lb (68 kg) individual, that's 82–109 g protein to preserve lean mass during a calorie deficit.
  • Use a modest 10–20 % calorie deficitA 68 kg adult typically reduces 300–500 kcal/day to achieve the recommended weekly loss rate.
  • Lift weights at least 2–3 times per weekCompound movements such as squats and rows maintain or increase the 98 lb lean mass measured on DEXA.
  • Walk 8,000–10,000 steps dailySteady-state activity keeps NEAT high and helps mobilize visceral fat.
  • Sleep 7–9 hours nightlySleep restriction to 5 h doubles lean-mass loss during dieting, according to controlled trials.
  • Schedule a DEXA scan every 8–12 weeks to confirm fat loss, not muscleKalos recommends repeat scans in 2–3-month intervals so you can adjust nutrition or training the moment lean mass starts to slip. (Kalos)
  • Add HIIT sessions 2–3 times per week to target stubborn visceral fatThe DXA NC blog highlights high-intensity interval training as especially effective for trimming deep abdominal fat while preserving muscle tissue. (DXA NC)

Which labs or medications matter when DEXA shows 35 % body fat?

Lab work clarifies whether elevated body fat is already affecting metabolic health and guides tailored interventions. "A fasting lipid panel plus HbA1c gives a quick metabolic snapshot; add CRP if inflammation is suspected," notes Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.

  • HbA1c and fasting glucoseValues above 5.6 % (HbA1c) or 100 mg/dL (glucose) flag impaired glycemic control.
  • Lipid profile with ApoBAn ApoB over 90 mg/dL correlates strongly with cardiovascular risk in high-fat individuals.
  • High-sensitivity CRPhs-CRP >3 mg/L signals systemic inflammation linked to visceral fat.
  • ALT, AST, and ultrasound if neededElevated liver enzymes prompt imaging to rule out fatty-liver disease.
  • Use of weight-loss medicationsGLP-1 receptor agonists and other drugs may be considered, but only after lifestyle therapy and under physician supervision.
  • Body fat above 20 % in men or 33 % in women falls outside the healthy rangeDexaScan’s interpretive guide lists 8–20 % (men) and 22–33 % (women) as normal; excess adiposity is linked to higher odds of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers. (DexaScan)
  • Greater DEXA-measured fat mass tracks with higher C-reactive protein levelsIn NIH-funded research on breast-cancer survivors, rising body-fat percentage corresponded with elevated acute-phase proteins such as CRP, underscoring why hs-CRP can flag inflammation in people with high adiposity. (NIH)

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, and personalized medical recommendations.

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