Why does my scan show such a high body fat percentage?

Recommendations to lose fat

Your body fat percentage accounts for all body fat which includes subcutaneous (under the skin) as well as visceral fat (in and around the internal organs).  Some individuals can be visually lean and have low subcutaneous mass without knowing that they have higher amounts of visceral fat.  This is usually the occurrence in a visually lean person. 

The recommendations to lose body fat are subject to the amount of kilos or pounds you are above your normative averages of body fat for your height, age and gender.  The recommendations provide a sustainable time frame and calorie deficit in order to achieve the loss.