When recording body fat percentage, what value should be used?

When recording body fat percentage, using the lowest body fat percentage obtained is considered best practice because it helps to standardize the measure for individuals whose body fat percentage may fluctuate due to various factors such as hydration levels, recent physical activity, or even the time of day the measurements were taken. This approach aims to account for discrepancies in readings by focusing on the most favorable outcome, which can be crucial in military contexts where meeting certain body fat percentage standards is important for personnel.

In contrast, using the highest body fat percentage may provide an inflated estimate, thus suggesting a more severe condition than reality. The average would not accurately reflect the individual's lowest recorded state, potentially masking improvements made through training or lifestyle changes. The median may not represent the central tendency effectively in a small sample set where outliers can skew data, making the lowest percentage a more reliable and motivational figure for tracking progress and ensuring adherence to standards.