UNDERSTANDING THE DEFINITION OF BODY COMPOSITION.

Understanding the Definition of Body Composition.

Body composition, which measures the amount of lean tissue and body fat you have, is a more reliable indicator of health, fitness and potential risk for disease. There are many ways to measure body composition, and it is important to do so periodically. Understand the definition of body composition and the reasons why it is so important.

What is body composition?

Your body composition refers to the make up of your body's weight. It defines how much of your body weight is made up of fat and how much of it is made up of fat-free lean tissue such as bone, muscle and water. Because lean tissue is metabolically active, the more lean tissue you have, the higher your metabolism.

How is BMI related to body composition?

BMI, or body mass index, is one type of simple body composition test that divides your weight in pounds by your height in inches to achieve a picture of your body fatness. While not an exact measure, it is a simple and reliable way to indicate possible weight problems in individuals. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9.

How is body composition measured?

There are several ways to measure your body composition. One of the most popular and simple is the skin-fold test, in which a technician places a caliper on your abdomen, upper arm, calf or upper hip to measure the thickness of two layers of skin. The results are then measured against a chart that determines the ratio of skin-fold thickness to fat percentage. There is also hydrostatic, or underwater weighing. This is performed by a professional and requires you to be almost completely submerged underwater in a controlled environment where a technician measures how much your body displaces the water in the tank to determine your body fat percentage.

Why is body composition testing important?

A healthy body composition paints a much clearer picture of health than just a healthy weight. An active 150-pound person who has a lot of muscle with a low body fat percentage is far healthier than a sedentary 150-pound person with little muscle and lots of body fat. Focusing on just losing weight is misguided; achieving a healthy body composition and lower body fat percentage is much more effective for achieving true fitness. Research shows that excessive fatness, not just being overweight, increases your risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.

Understanding body composition is key in achieving real physical fitness. Be advised that true health is more than just a low weight; a good proportion of lean, fat-free body mass is more efficient at metabolizing energy and keeping you healthy. In addition to weighing yourself regularly, have your body fat percentage checked periodically.