Assessing Body Composition

Body composition can be divided into two compartments: fat mass and fat-free mass. Body composition is the ratio of fat to fat-free mass. Fat-free weight includes all tissues-muscle, bone, blood, organs, fluids-exclusive of fat. Fat, which composes the other compartment, is found in the organs (for example, brain, heart, liver, lungs) and adipose cells. A dipose cells are fat cells that are located subcutaneously (beneath the skin) and surrounding various body organs. They are an insulator against heat loss and a protection for the internal organs against trauma. The majority of body fat is found in adipose cells where it acts as a vast storage depot for energy. A certain amount of fat is required for normal biological functions. This is referred to as essential fat. Essential fat is located in the bone marrow, organs, muscles, and intestines; it is a component of cell ­membrane structure, as well as brain and heart tissue. The amount of essential fat in the male and female bodies differs. Essential fat constitutes 3% to 5% of the total weight of men and 11 % to 14% of the total weight of women.


The higher female requirement for essential fat is directly related to fertility and childbearing. Women whose body fat drops below essential requirements, such as gymnasts, ballerinas, long­ distance runners and anorexics, will probably become amenorrheic. The period of infertility will continue until weight is gained and essential fat is restored. In both genders, essential fat represents a minimal threshold or lower limit for the maintenance of health.

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