Final answer:
It is natural for females to have a higher percentage of body fat than males. Hormonal differences and the need for fat reserves for reproductive functions contribute to the fat distribution that characterizes each sex. BMI is a common but imperfect tool for measuring body fat, as it doesn't consider fat distribution or muscle mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
In terms of body composition, it is natural for females to have a higher percentage of body fat compared to males. This difference is related to various biological functions, including reproduction, and is influenced by hormone levels such as estrogen and testosterone. Fat distribution varies between the sexes; males typically accumulate fat around the neck, arms, lower back, and abdomen, while females tend to store fat in the breasts, hips, thighs, and buttocks. During the adolescent growth spurt, females experience an increase in body fat particularly in the breasts and hips which contributes to the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the overall sexual dimorphism in adult body composition and shape.
The concept of BMI (Body Mass Index) is frequently used to assess fat content, but it does not account for muscle mass, bone density, or the distribution of fat, making it less reliable for determining overall health. An alternative measurement is the waist-to-hip ratio, which helps to evaluate the risk of obesity-related diseases based on fat distribution, with different thresholds of concern for males and females.