% body fat

[Sham67]

I am currently 5'6" weighing about 114 lbs with a petite bone structure. My scale states that my % body fat is 21. Is this a healthy number to be at? I realize this sounds warped but based on my perception of my mirror image and the way my stomach appears as I look down, I'm concerned I may be heavy for how petite my build is. I apologize for the length. Any thoughts?

[Caryopteris]

You're welcome.  

[Sham67]

That is actually extremely helpful considering I have stomach issues after anything I eat and I go days without a bowel movement. I will look into adding more fiber to my diet. Thank you for your help!

[Caryopteris]

That's my size also.  If your belly protrudes, it is probably more to do with bloating from gas or constipation.  I don't know how digestion is working for you or what you're eating, but that's how it is for me.  I can pinch less than an inch of fat over my abdomen, so I have just enough fat for me to feel good.  But I have slow digestion, and trapped gas or stool ruins my shape.  You may just need to add more fiber, such as an apple and more water a day, or perhaps you just need Metamucil.  This is assuming you have ab muscles, but when you're bloated it can be hard to find them.                      

[LloydSev]

According to online BMI calculators which only use your height and weight to deduce body fat, it calculates your numbers at 18.4% which is technically under weight. 18.5-24.9 is optimal weight without any other factors to take into consideration.

A scale shouldn't really do any more than that, except it may use some kind of inductive measurement through your skin, but even that is nothing as compared to calipers.