10/05/17 Body Composition

Fat free mass

Includes bone, water muscle, connective tissue, organ tissue, teeth

Body fat
Essential: fat necessary for normal body functioning
3-5%, women
8-12%, men
Nonessential: extra fat, i.e. reserves stored in the body

Body composition
Amount of storage fat varies depending on individual factors
Excess storage fat: energy consumed > energy expended

Overweight, obesity
Most important consideration when looking at body composition: percent body fat (i.e. proportion of total
weight that is fat)
Even if two people have the same height and weight, their fitness level can vary
Overweight:
Body weight > recommended range for good health
Range set through surveys of general population
Obesity: Severely overweight

Results of overweight/obesity
Excess body fat and wellness
Obesity reduces life expectancy (10-20 years)
Can decrease overall wellness through eect on disease risk, physical performance, body image
Risk of chronic disease, premature death
Obesity associated with many types of disease
Cancer, cardiovascular, hypertension, etc
Performance of physical activities
Too much body fat -> diiculty exercising
Exercise is diicult -> less exercise; cycle occurs
Emotional wellness and self image
Can aect psychological wellness
Contributes to problems, e.g. depression, anxiety, etc
 Wellness for life
Healthy composition <=> wellness
Controlling weight increases lifespan, lowers risk of disease, etc

Assessing BMI, composition, fat distribution

BMI = wt in kg/(ht in m)^2 ~ 25
Percent body fat:
underwater weighing density
Skinfold measurements
Bioelectrical impedance analysis

Setting composition goals

Choose a method of monitoring progress that works for you
Too much focus might
lead to unhealthy behavior
or it could help you stay on track
Changes require long term eort

Measurements
Arm
Relax: 34
Flex:30
Waist: 85
Hip: 100