why is that 8 percent body fat supposedly more healthy than say 4-6??

The body needs fat for survival and proper function. Six is ok, hard to maintain. Less then six becomes unhealthy.

Cynic speaks the truth. 9-10% is generally considered a bodyfat range at which you'll look very good and is perfectly healthy to stay at long-term.

You'll notice that even drug-enhanced bodybuilders don't stay at those crazy 3-5% levels of bodyfat for longer than the very short competition periods ..that's because if they did they'd DIE.

thanks for the responses.

I've read through different opinions on the internet though. Some say a healthy range is 6-15 percent. Some say 8-19. What would truly be the lowest body fat percentage while still being healthy?

ya, i guess your right..

On a side note:

To any female readers..please be VERY clear that when we talk about 8, 9 or 10% body fat percentages being healthy, we're talking about males. Females need higher amounts of body fat to function (and retain their feminine beauty, if you ask me) and so their numbers will always be higher.

That's all, carry on.

I was talking to this girl who know doesn't know crap about crap (eats once a day starves herself the rest of the day) and she was telling me that her super skinny female friend is 9% bf. I told her that wasn't even possible since the lowest I've ever heard of females getting is like 12% (bodybuilders). Isn't that correct? Or is my memory jacked?

~Nicole

If she's at 9%, she's either anorexic or dying from a terminal illness, most likely, yes. -_- Chances are she's actually at something around 20% and is what we call "skinny fat".

You NEED fats to survive, Fats are required to transport nutrients like Vitamins a,d,e and k- basically all fat soluble vitamins,
Also they are a main component of the cell membrane and as well other internal fatty tissues protect vital organs. and help regulate body temperature.

I would not suggest anything less then 8% body fat.

Sidenote
Also remember fat quality in the body is as important as quantity