Penn State NROTC Physical Fitness Guidelines & Standards
Navy Body Composition Standards
Background and Rationale
In 1985, a panel of experts at the National Institute of Health (NIH) determined the extent to which excess body fat is associated with negative health consequences. Negative health consequences include an increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Excess body fat is also associated with the inability to maintain physical performance (especially in hot climates) and may be correlated with a lack of fitness and stamina. Although body fat typically increases with age in Americans, it is not a healthy process, and frequently is simply the result of decreased activity and/or dietary indiscretion.
Based on scientific research the NIH conference defined obesity as the amount of body fat associated with significant detrimental health effects. This corresponded to a weight-for-height 20 percent above the midpoint weight for a medium-frame individual, based on the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance Height-Weight Tables. Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) scientists reviewed this and numerous other scientific studies and recommended the NIH definition of obesity as the upper limits for Navy standards. Since DOD prescribes body fat percentage as the measure of body composition, NHRC determined obesity to correspond to about 22 percent for men and 33 percent for women. Most members should have a significantly lower level of body fat than the upper allowable Navy limits.
Percentage Body Fat Standards -- Navy
The upper allowable Navy limits for body fat percentage are:
| Age (Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 17-39 | 40-40+ | |
| Male | 22% | 23% |
| Female | 33% | 34% |
Most personnel should have a significantly lower percentage of body fat.
Maximum Weight for Height Screening -- Navy
If your weight is less than or equal to the maximum weight listed for your gender, you are within body composition assessment standards and percentage body fat determination is not required.
Navy Maximum Allowable Weight Chart
| Males | Height | Females |
|---|---|---|
| 142 | 60 | 142 |
| 147 | 61 | 145 |
| 152 | 62 | 149 |
| 157 | 63 | 152 |
| 162 | 64 | 156 |
| 167 | 65 | 160 |
| 172 | 66 | 163 |
| 177 | 67 | 167 |
| 182 | 68 | 170 |
| 188 | 69 | 174 |
| 192 | 70 | 177 |
| 196 | 71 | 181 |
| 201 | 72 | 185 |
| 206 | 73 | 188 |
| 211 | 74 | 192 |
| 216 | 75 | 195 |
| 221 | 76 | 199 |
| 226 | 77 | 203 |
| 231 | 78 | 199 |
| 236 | 79 | 210 |
| 241 | 80 | 213 |