Body composition

Body composition refers to the proportion of fat and fat-free mass (muscle, bone and water) in the body. Your body composition is a consequence of the extent that you perform the physical activities of daily living plus the quantity of your exercise. The speed at which you can lose fat and gain muscle is a direct result of your exercise routine, diet and the amount of sleep you get.

Understanding Body Composition

Body composition is divided into two separate types of mass: fat-free mass, which includes muscle, bone, blood and organs; and body fat. Fat is categorized as essential and storage fat. Essential fat is needed for normal physiological functioning and is found in the nerves, brain, heart and glands. Storage fat is the result of consuming excess calories.

Measuring Body Composition

There are several ways to get an estimate of your body fat percentage at home, at the gym or from a healthcare provider. Here are a few methods:

• Skinfold Calipers: This method measures the skinfold thickness at one or more areas of the body.
• Bioelectrical Impedance: This method uses a device to send an electrical signal through your body. Fat, water and muscle have different electrical conductivities, so the device can calculate a body fat percentage.
• Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA): This method uses a whole body scanner and two different low-dose x-rays to read bone mass and soft tissue mass. It provides readings for total body fat and regional areas of fat and lean.

Factors Affecting Body Composition

Body composition is affected by many factors. Some you can control, others you can't:

• Genetics: Your genes influence how your body stores fat.
• Age: As you get older, your body's proportions of fat and muscle tend to increase.
• Diet: The type and amount of food you eat play a crucial role in determining body composition.
• Exercise: Regular exercise can help reduce body fat and build muscle.

Importance of Healthy Body Composition

Maintaining a healthy body composition allows for proper function of organs, tissues, and cells. It reduces risk for disease and increases overall quality of life. It's not just about losing weight, but losing the right kind of weight and maintaining it in a healthy way.

See Also

• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Body Fat Percentage
• Lean Body Mass

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