Living Life Abundantly

The term ‘body fat’ is a common one. Obesity, cholesterol and an unhealthy constitution are what most people associate with this term. Although excess body fat content can cause severe problems, the body requires a specific amount of body fat for various metabolic and structural functions.

The body absorbs fat from the foods you eat and stores it as body fat. As the body breaks down these fats, two byproducts are released into the body – glycerol and fatty acids. The liver processes glycerol into glucose and stores it as a stock of energy. Fatty acids provide energy for all your cells and tissues, especially for the heart muscles and the skeletal muscles. So, it is very important to include fatty substances in the diet.

Here are a few major functions of body fats:

* Body fats help to maintain healthy skin and hair.

* Body temperature, it is essential to have adequate body fat.

* Body fats are the sources of energy in the body.

* Body fats are necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of cells.

* Body fats provide cushioning for organs and tissues.

* Bones use body fat as a shock absorber.

* The body will not be able to absorb many vital vitamins like A, E, D and K unless they are able to combine with fats.

* Body fats can act as immunity boosters to protect the body from ailments.

Excess Body Fat – Why Is It Undesirable?

While the body cannot function smoothly without body fat, you must remember that an excess of body fat can negatively affect the body. Very often, the fats absorbed by the body do not burn off but get stored in the body. Such accumulation of body fats may lead to obesity that can then set off many other health issues like breathing difficulties, arthritis and heart disease.

According to the American Council on Exercise, body fat should ideally constitute– – 17 percent of the total body weight of a man and for women, body fat should be around 21 – 24 percent of total body weight. Maintaining these levels will prevent problems associated with excess body fat.

Knowing the exact fat percentage in your body can help in setting realistic weight loss plans. With the various fat measurement techniques available today, it is very easy to keep track of the body fat and adopt steps to a healthy lifestyle. Four popular fat measurement methods are Home Body Fat Scales, Navy Method, Hydrostatic Weighing and Skinfold Calipers.

Is Weight Loss the Same as Body Fat Loss?

Body fat loss and weight loss are two completely different concepts. Consider an instance of two individuals belonging to the same age group – an athletically built person and a normal person. Due to the extra weight of muscles, the athletic person may weigh more than his counterpart. However, the second person’s weight may be related to a higher content of body fat. Obviously, this person will be more vulnerable to weight-related issues than the athletic person. Therefore, it is important to lose body fat rather than trying to lose body weight. With new methods that measure body fat percentage, you can get an accurate report of your body fat and the amount you must lose or gain to remain fit and healthy.

When trying weight loss plans to lose body fat, it is best to adopt a plan that combines a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and a minimum of processed carbohydrates with a good exercise regimen. You should keep the body fat levels to the ideal percentage and enjoy better health in your life.

HealthStatus.com has free calculators to determine your body fat percentage. Click to see the body fat calculator, and ideal weight as well as many other easy to use interactive health tools.

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Body Fat – How Does It Affect Health?

The term ‘body fat’ is a common one. Obesity, cholesterol and an unhealthy constitution are what most people associate with this term. Although excess body fat content can cause severe problems, the body requires a specific amount of body fat for various metabolic and structural functions.

Body fat is produced in the body through the absorption of fats present in the food consumed. As the body breaks down these fats, two byproducts are released into the body – glycerol and fatty acids. The liver processes glycerol into glucose and stores it as a stock of energy. Fatty acids provide energy for all major tissues, especially for the cardiac muscles and the skeletal muscles. So, it is very important to include appropriate amounts of fatty substances in the diet.

Here are a few functions of body fats:

* Body fats maintain healthy skin and hair.

* Adequate body fat allows you to maintain the right body temperature.

* Body fats are the sources of energy in the body.

* Body fats are needed for the smooth functioning of cells.

* Body fats provide cushioning for organs and tissues.

* Body fats act as a shock absorber for bones.

* Vitamins like A, E, D and K will not be able to be absorbed unless they are able to combine with fats.

* Scientists believe that body fats act as immunity boosters to protect the body from ailments.

Excess Body Fat – Why Is It Undesirable?

While the body cannot function smoothly without body fat, you must remember that too much body fat can adversly affect the systems of the body. The fats absorbed by the body but not immediately needed do not burn off but get stored in the body. Such accumulation of body fats may lead to obesity that can then set off many other health issues like breathing difficulties, arthritis and heart disease.

According to the American Council on Exercise, body fat should ideally constitute– – 17 percent of the total body weight of a man and for women, body fat should be around 21 – 24 percent of total body weight. Maintaining these levels will prevent problems associated with excess body fat.

Knowing the exact fat percentage in your body can help in setting realistic weight loss plans. With the various fat measurement techniques available today, it is very easy to keep track of the body fat and adopt steps to a healthy lifestyle. Four popular fat measurement methods are Home Body Fat Scales, Navy Method, Hydrostatic Weighing and Skinfold Calipers.

Is Weight Loss the Same as Body Fat Loss?

Weight loss and body fat reduction are two completely different concepts. Consider an instance of two individuals the same age – an athletically built person and a normal person. Due to the extra weight of muscles, the athletic person may weigh more than his counterpart. However, the second person’s weight may be related to a higher content of body fat. The normal person will be more vulnerable to weight-related issues than the athletic person. Therefore, it is important to lose body fat rather than trying to lose body weight. With new methods that measure body fat percentage, you can get an accurate report of your body fat and the amount you must lose or gain to remain fit and healthy.

When trying weight loss plans to lose body fat, it is best to adopt a plan that combines a good exercise regimen with a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and a minimum of processed carbohydrates. You should keep the body fat levels to the ideal percentage and enjoy more health and happiness in your life.

Want to find out your body fat? Use our body fat calculator, then visit the HealthStatus.com site and use our free calculators on bodyfat and ideal weight.

The term ‘body fat’ is a common one. Obesity, cholesterol and an unhealthy constitution are what most people associate with this term. Although excess body fat content can cause severe problems, the body requires a specific amount of body fat for various metabolic and structural functions.

Body fat is produced in the body through the absorption of fats present in the food consumed. As the body breaks down these fats, two byproducts are released into the body – glycerol and fatty acids. The liver processes glycerol into glucose and stores it as a stock of energy. Fatty acids provide energy for all major tissues, especially for the cardiac muscles and the skeletal muscles. So, it is very important to include appropriate amounts of fatty substances in the diet.

Here are a few functions of body fats:

* Body fats help to maintain healthy skin and hair.

* To maintain the right body temperature, it is essential to have adequate body fat.

* Body fats are the sources of energy in the body.

* Smooth functioning of cells is maintained with body fats.

* Organs and tissues are cushioned by body fats.

* Body fats are a shock absorber for bones.

* The body will not be able to absorb many vital vitamins like A, E, D and K unless they are able to combine with fats.

* Body fats are also believed to act as immunity boosters to protect the body from ailments.

Excess Body Fat – Why Is It Undesirable?

While the body cannot function smoothly without body fat, you must remember that too much body fat can adversly affect the systems of the body. The fats absorbed by the body but not immediately needed do not burn off but get stored in the body. Such accumulation of body fats may lead to obesity that can then set off many other health issues like breathing difficulties, arthritis and heart disease.

To prevent problems associated with excess body fat, one must know the current body fat percentage in the body and the ideal percentage required. According to the American Council on Exercise, body fat should ideally constitute– – 17 percent of the total body weight of a man and for women, body fat should be around 21 – 24 percent of total body weight.

Knowing the exact fat percentage in your body can help in setting realistic weight loss plans. With the various fat measurement techniques available today, it is very easy to keep track of the body fat and adopt steps to a healthy lifestyle. Four popular fat measurement methods are Home Body Fat Scales, Navy Method, Hydrostatic Weighing and Skinfold Calipers.

Is Weight Loss the Same as Body Fat Loss?

Body fat loss and weight loss are two different concepts. Consider two individuals belonging to the same age group – an athletically built person and a normal person. Due to the extra weight of muscles, the athletic person may weigh more than his counterpart. However, the second person’s weight may be related to a higher content of body fat. Obviously, this person will be more vulnerable to weight-related issues than the athletic person. Therefore, it is important to lose body fat rather than trying to lose body weight. With methods that measure body fat percentage, you can get an accurate report of your body fat and the amount you must lose or gain to remain fit and healthy.

When trying weight loss plans to lose body fat, it is best to adopt a plan that combines a healthy diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and a minimum of processed carbohydrates with a good exercise regimen. You should keep the body fat levels to the ideal levels and enjoy more health and happiness in your life.

Want to find out your body fat? Use our body fat calculator, then visit the HealthStatus.com site and use our free calculators on bodyfat and ideal weight.

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a calculated number that comes from a person’s height and weight. It is a pretty reliable gauge of body fat. It does not directly measure body fat, but studies show a direct relation of BMI with directly measuring body fat. It is an alternative way to measure body fat. It is a cheap and simple way to test for categories that can cause health issues.

It is used as a way to identify possible weight issues in adults. It is not an analytical method. A person can have an elevated BMI; but, a doctor needs to evaluate them for a possible health risk.

To assess how many individuals are overweight and obese, BMI is the best method. Since tallness and weight is the only information needed, it is low cost and easy for doctors or the public to do. BMI enables individuals to judge their weight against others.

To figure BMI, use weight/tallness squared for kilograms and weight/tallness squared x 703 for pounds and inches. This method is used for both adults and children.

For those 20 year or older, BMI is interpreted using standard weight categories that are the same for all ages and for both men and women. Children and teens, the interpretation of BMI is both age and sex specific.

The normal weight guidelines for adults are:’. 5 to 24. 9 underweight, 25. 0 to 29. 0 overweight, 30 or more obese.

There is a strong link between body fat and the BMI number. Link does vary by sex, race and age.

When trying to determine someone’s risk for developing diseases or illness related to obesity, BMI is not the only thing to look at. The size of the person’s waist and any illnesses or diseases that are known to be caused by obesity, need to be addressed.

BMI group status puts people into the overweight group is their BMI number is over 25. For those with a BMI of 30 or more, they fall into the group of obese.

Remember, though, that BMI does not directly measure body fat and that it is figured from a person’s weight which includes muscle and fat. So, some may have a high BMI but not have a high percentage of body fat. The majority of those with a BMI in the 30 or higher range have higher levels of body fat.

Risks related to disease include numerous factors not just weight. Remember this when figuring your BMI.

Individuals who are obese or overweight have a significantly increased chance of developing issues or diseases caused by weight problems. Disease, death and weight are all part of the BMI range.

Figuring BMI for children is done the same way as it is for adults. The rules that are used are different. BMI, in children, is specific according to age and sex because body fat changes with age. Girls and boys have differences in body fat.

After being calculated, the number is placed on the CDC BMI for age growth charts to discover the percentage. They are the most widely used gauge to determine the size and growth patterns of children in the United States. The percentile points to the relative position of the child’s BMI number with others of the same age and sex. The growth charts show the weight status categories used with children and teens.

Learn more about your body mass index. Stop by Greg White’s site where you can find an easy to use BMI calculator and many more interactive health tools.

categories: body mass index,bmi,diet,weight,weightloss,exercise,obesity,anorexia,fitness