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Measuring your body weight.
Apr 24 2011 01:34
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Your first step towards an ideal figure! Do you know that everyone needs a certain amount of body fat for stored energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and other functions? As a rule, women have more body fat than men. Most health care providers agree that men with more than 25 percent body fat and women with more than 30 percent body fat are obese. Measuring the exact amount of a person’s body fat is not easy and various traditional and modern methods and ways have been implemented from time to time to measure the extent of one’s obesity or being overweight. Some of these methods are as under: DEXA The most accurate measures are to weigh a person underwater or to use an X-ray test called Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). However, these methods are not practical for the average person, and are done only in research centers with special equipment. Thickness of subcutaneous fat There are simpler methods to estimate body fat. One is to measure the thickness of the layer of fat just under the skin (sub cutaneous) in several parts of the body. This method is commonly used at health clubs and commercial weight loss programs. Electric current Another method of measuring obesity involves sending a harmless amount of electricity through a person’s body. Results from this method, however, can be inaccurate if done by an inexperienced person or on someone with severe obesity. Weight for height tables Because measuring a person’s body fat is difficult; health care providers often rely on other means to diagnose obesity. Weight-for-height tables, which have been used for decades, usually have a range of acceptable weights for a person of a given height. One problem with these tables is that there are many versions, all with different weight ranges. Another problem is that they do not distinguish between excess fat and muscle. A very muscular person may appear obese, according to the tables, when he or she is not. BMI In recent years, body mass index (BMI) has become the medical standard used to measure overweight and obesity. BMI uses a mathematical formula based on a person’s height and weight. BMI equals weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (BMI = kg/m2). Depending on the specific values or range of BMI scale or measurements, a person can be individually yet easily classified as overweight, obese or of normal weight. BMI Classification of body weight Overweight: A BMI of 25 to 29.9 indicates a person is overweight. Obese: A person with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. However, like the weight-to-height table, BMI does not show the difference between excess fat and muscle. BMI, however, is closely associated with measures of body fat. It also predicts the development of health problems related to excess weight. For these reasons, BMI is widely used by health care providers. Last but not least, measuring the extent of your obesity or body weight is the first calculated step towards achieving and maintaining an ideal weight and smart body. If you make sure this first step is the right one, your ultimate destination shall not be much far then. PROAC8 - 8% discount PROAC8 Expires: 31.12.11 Discount Amount: 8% |