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Body Composition

Body Composition is the technical term used to describe the different components that, when taken together, make up a person's body weight. The human body is composed of a variety of different tissue types. The so-called 'lean' tissues, such as muscle, bone, and organs are metabolically active, while adipose (fat) tissue is not.

Standard scales can tell you a total weight, but can't determine the lean-to-fat ratio of that weight. By the old height-weight charts, an athlete can be "overweight" and not "over-fat." A bodybuilder, for example, may be 8% body fat, yet at 250 pounds may be considered "over-weight" by a typical weight chart. In general, charts are not a good indication of an ideal body weight for general health. There are several different methods of assessing the percent of fat and lean mass of an individual. These methods are referred to as Body Composition Analysis. The gold standard of body composition analysis is hydrostatic weighing. Most physiologists use simple skin-fold measurements to determine body fat percentage.

Bioelectrical Impedance is another method of assessing body fat percentage. There are a variety of Body Composition and Body Fat Analyzers and Scales available for home use that provide more than just total weight measurements. These devices determine total weight, the percent and amount of body fat, muscle mass, water, and even bone mass.
While the readings can be affected by hydration levels, food intake, skin temperature, and other factors, if you follow the directions and take the reading under similar conditions, you will obtain the best results.

What should your body fat percent be?
Your ideal weight and fat-lean ratio varies considerably for men and women and by age, but the minimum
percent bodyfat considered safe is 5% for males and 12% for females. The average adult body fat is closer to 15%-18% for men and 22%-25% for women.

How Much Is Too Much?
Just as too little body fat can cause physiological complications, too much body fat is also harmful. For men over 25% and women over 32% fat, there is a dramatic correlation with illness and disease. Isn't Body Composition Genetic?
Some aspects of your body composition are genetic (where you store fat), but most fat increase is related to lifestyle.

Can I Change My Body Composition?
Yes. To increase or decrease your percent of body fat you need to create the right balance between the calories in and calories out. Aerobic exercise along with strength training is ideal.

Written By, Tina Clark

 

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