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Body Composition & Diet

With obesity rates on the rise, it's never been more important to take an interest in your health. Regular exercise and a good diet are very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, as is knowing your body composition percentage.

  1. Definition

    • Body composition is the ratio of lean body mass to body fat mass. Lean body mass is comprised of bones, muscles and organs. Body fat mass is made up of essential fat and stored fat. The human body needs certain fats to work and maintain body temperature, but when it has more fat than it needs, it stores it.

    Measuring Body Composition

    • Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis measures body composition by measuring how long an electrical signal takes to pass between two handheld electrodes. If you have a lot of stored fat, the signal will move slower. Adult men and women should have percentages between 13 and 17 and 20 and 25, respectively.

    Affects of Diet

    • To get or maintain an ideal body composition percentage, a good diet is essential. You must find the right balance between calories consumed and burned. Regular exercise is important in getting and maintaining a good number; aerobic exercise followed by strength training will help you maintain an ideal percentage.

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