Body fat percentage question

[susieq0726]

Like many of us, I gained some weight over the holidays and need to loose a few pounds. I am 5'5, 42 yrs old and weigh 145. I should weigh 130.
I work out at the gym 3-5 times a week, and watch what I eat. No junk food at all.
Here's my question: My husband and I just bought a new scale that calculates weight and body fat percentage. I about had a heart attack this morning when I saw my body fat was 33%!!!!!
I don't know what is considered normal for my age & height. I don't look like a big blob of fat and wear a size 8.
What percentage should I be at?

[Lenin]

First off,
DON'T TRUST those scales that pass a tiny electric current through your feet; they are notoriuously inaccurate.

You might find this interestingL

The average fat content for females is between 24 and 26% dependent upon country of residence and, although from a health point of view a maximum desirable level of 30% (young) and 35% (older) may pose no threat, this level of moderate obesity would not satisfy the desirable shape or quirks of contemporary fashion. The fashion model type of body composition reflects a fat percentage of 15% or less, female gymnasts as low as 8% and distance runners down to 6%. The maximum desirable level suggested is based on the work of Katch & McArdle (1973), Pollock et al (1975) and Brown & Jones (1977) and is 25% for women of 30 years and over, but starts at 20% for those less than 20 years old. Again there is a sliding scale reflecting advancing years and a reduction in health risk.

Contemporary fashion would indicate a preferred female level of perhaps 3% lower than these values.

MAXIMUM PREFERRED OR DESIRABLE FATNESS LEVELS FOR AGES

UP TO 20 YEARS
17%

20 - 22 YEARS
18%

23 - 25 YEARS
19%

25 - 29 YEARS
20%

OVER 30 YEARS
22%

[susieq0726]

If those scales are incorrect, what device should be used to correctly calculate body fat?

[CobaltBlue]

Originally Posted by susieq0726

If those scales are incorrect, what device should be used to correctly calculate body fat?

Everything is an estimate, but professionally with a hydrostatic water tank is the most accepted. You can also do estimates using calipers to measure various body areas and summing the mm of "pinched areas" to derive an estimate.

I do have one of those scales and play with it from time to time, but don't take it seriously. They work on impedance, so if your feet are more moist at one time, or if you keep your legs closer together at another (assuming you are standing on the scale and not doing a handstand), you are going to get varying results.