Body Composition Calculators
May 3, 2008
Body Composition Calculators
May 2, 2008
Normal BMI may not protect against heart disease
April 15, 2008
According to a new study published in Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism, people who are considered to be at a normal weight according to their body mass index (BMI) can still have a dangerously high percentage of body fat, which increases their risk of heart disease.
In a study of 2,127 people with a healthy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, the researchers discovered what they call “normal weight obesity.” Body fat was measured using bioelectrical impedance, a device that sends an electrical impulse through the body to measure water content and fat levels. In this group of people with supposedly healthy weights, the researchers found that 62% had a body fat percentage categorized as obese. That is body fat higher than 20% for men and 30% for women.
In fact, 13.6% of participants with high body fat had metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors raising risk of heart disease, compared to only 5.3% of the people who had normal body fat levels. Because of these findings, the authors believe that measuring weight or BMI alone may not give an accurate prediction of heart risk. They suggest that measuring body fat levels or taking waist measurements may be a better way to evaluate the health risks associated with obesity.
Even if you’re slender, you may have a high body fat percentage if you are inactive. Frequent activity increases muscle and helps you burn off excess fat deposits. As well, fat can hide around the internal organs of the abdomen, and this body fat has been specifically linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
Measuring your waist circumference can be a good way to see if you are at risk, even if you have a normal weight.
Normal BMI may not protect against heart disease
April 15, 2008
According to a new study published in Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology & Metabolism, people who are considered to be at a normal weight according to their body mass index (BMI) can still have a dangerously high percentage of body fat, which increases their risk of heart disease.
In a study of 2,127 people with a healthy BMI of 18.5 to 24.9, the researchers discovered what they call “normal weight obesity.” Body fat was measured using bioelectrical impedance, a device that sends an electrical impulse through the body to measure water content and fat levels. In this group of people with supposedly healthy weights, the researchers found that 62% had a body fat percentage categorized as obese. That is body fat higher than 20% for men and 30% for women.
In fact, 13.6% of participants with high body fat had metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors raising risk of heart disease, compared to only 5.3% of the people who had normal body fat levels. Because of these findings, the authors believe that measuring weight or BMI alone may not give an accurate prediction of heart risk. They suggest that measuring body fat levels or taking waist measurements may be a better way to evaluate the health risks associated with obesity.
Even if you’re slender, you may have a high body fat percentage if you are inactive. Frequent activity increases muscle and helps you burn off excess fat deposits. As well, fat can hide around the internal organs of the abdomen, and this body fat has been specifically linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
Measuring your waist circumference can be a good way to see if you are at risk, even if you have a normal weight.
30 Minutes Vigorous Exercise A Day Can Stabilize Body Mass Index
November 14, 2007
Don’t slack off on exercise if you want to avoid packing on the pounds as you age.
A consistently high level of physical activity from young adulthood into middle age increases the odds of maintaining a stable weight and lessens the amount of weight gained over time, according to a new analysis from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
People who reported at least 30 minutes of vigorous activity a day such as jogging, bicycling or swimming were more than twice as likely to maintain a stable Body Mass Index (BMI) over 20 years. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. But even highly active people who gained weight, gained 14 pounds less over 20 years than those with consistently low activity.
Although activity is often recommended as a way to prevent weight gain, this is one of the first studies to examine the relationship between activity and weight by looking at patterns of exercise over a long period of time.
Researchers examined data from over 2,600 participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study to determine if high activity patterns over time were associated with maintaining a stable BMI. Participants in CARDIA, who were 18 to 30 years old when the study began, have been tracked for 20 years.
“The results will hopefully encourage young people to become more active and to maintain high activity over a lifetime,” said Arlene Hankinson, lead author and an instructor in preventive medicine at the Feinberg School. Hankinson presented her findings on Monday, Nov. 5, at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla.
30 Minutes Vigorous Exercise A Day Can Stabilize Body Mass Index
November 14, 2007
Don’t slack off on exercise if you want to avoid packing on the pounds as you age.
A consistently high level of physical activity from young adulthood into middle age increases the odds of maintaining a stable weight and lessens the amount of weight gained over time, according to a new analysis from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
People who reported at least 30 minutes of vigorous activity a day such as jogging, bicycling or swimming were more than twice as likely to maintain a stable Body Mass Index (BMI) over 20 years. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. But even highly active people who gained weight, gained 14 pounds less over 20 years than those with consistently low activity.
Although activity is often recommended as a way to prevent weight gain, this is one of the first studies to examine the relationship between activity and weight by looking at patterns of exercise over a long period of time.
Researchers examined data from over 2,600 participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study to determine if high activity patterns over time were associated with maintaining a stable BMI. Participants in CARDIA, who were 18 to 30 years old when the study began, have been tracked for 20 years.
“The results will hopefully encourage young people to become more active and to maintain high activity over a lifetime,” said Arlene Hankinson, lead author and an instructor in preventive medicine at the Feinberg School. Hankinson presented her findings on Monday, Nov. 5, at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Fla.
What is Body Composition?
October 4, 2007
Body composition is a measure of the lean tissue and of the fatty tissue that makes up your body weight. Your body is comprised of many tissues – fat, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, organs and lots of water. A healthy body composition is determined by the percentage of fat versus lean muscle mass. Ideally it is best to keep fat lower and lean muscle mass higher. An altered body composition arises when the percentage of body fat is too high. The most common cause of a high percentage of body fat is excess fat, although a loss of bone, as in osteoporosis, or a loss of muscle are also forms of altered body composition.
Being overweight is sometimes used synonymously with an altered body composition, however, excess body weight is not a definitive assessment for altered body composition, just as thin is not synonymous with fit and healthy. Extreme athletes or weight lifters can have a body weight that is considered outside of a healthy reference range, but their body compositions may be optimal due to the high amount of lean muscle. Muscle actually weights more than fat, so if you are on a weight loss plan that includes lifting weights, stepping on the scale may frustrate you. You should judge your progress by how your clothes fit and feel, not by the number on the scale.
Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)
Where you carry body fat is just as important as how much you carry. People who tend to accumulate fat around the waist (apple shape) have a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure than those who carry excess weight on the hips and thighs (pear shape). Calculating your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is one way to determine if the weight in your abdomen exceeds that of your thighs. WHR is the measurement of your waist divided by the measurement of your hips. Measure your waist at the level of your belly button. Waist circumference greater than 35” for women and 40” for men is associated with increased risk. A WHR greater than 1 for men and 0.8 for women is considered unfavorable.
What is Body Composition?
October 3, 2007
Body composition is a measure of the lean tissue and of the fatty tissue that makes up your body weight. Your body is comprised of many tissues – fat, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, organs and lots of water. A healthy body composition is determined by the percentage of fat versus lean muscle mass. Ideally it is best to keep fat lower and lean muscle mass higher. An altered body composition arises when the percentage of body fat is too high. The most common cause of a high percentage of body fat is excess fat, although a loss of bone, as in osteoporosis, or a loss of muscle are also forms of altered body composition.
Being overweight is sometimes used synonymously with an altered body composition, however, excess body weight is not a definitive assessment for altered body composition, just as thin is not synonymous with fit and healthy. Extreme athletes or weight lifters can have a body weight that is considered outside of a healthy reference range, but their body compositions may be optimal due to the high amount of lean muscle. Muscle actually weights more than fat, so if you are on a weight loss plan that includes lifting weights, stepping on the scale may frustrate you. You should judge your progress by how your clothes fit and feel, not by the number on the scale.
Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)
Where you carry body fat is just as important as how much you carry. People who tend to accumulate fat around the waist (apple shape) have a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure than those who carry excess weight on the hips and thighs (pear shape). Calculating your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is one way to determine if the weight in your abdomen exceeds that of your thighs. WHR is the measurement of your waist divided by the measurement of your hips. Measure your waist at the level of your belly button. Waist circumference greater than 35” for women and 40” for men is associated with increased risk. A WHR greater than 1 for men and 0.8 for women is considered unfavorable.
What is BMI?
September 26, 2007
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for people. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).1, 2 BMI can be considered an alternative for direct measures of body fat. Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
How is BMI used?
BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings.
Why does CDC use BMI to measure overweight and obesity?
Calculating BMI is one of the best methods for population assessment of overweight and obesity. Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. The use of BMI allows people to compare their own weight status to that of the general population.
To see the formula based on either kilograms and meters or pounds and inches, visit How is BMI calculated and interpreted?
CDC link: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/about_adult_BMI.htm
What is BMI?
September 26, 2007
What is BMI?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for people. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).1, 2 BMI can be considered an alternative for direct measures of body fat. Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems.
How is BMI used?
BMI is used as a screening tool to identify possible weight problems for adults. However, BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings.
Why does CDC use BMI to measure overweight and obesity?
Calculating BMI is one of the best methods for population assessment of overweight and obesity. Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. The use of BMI allows people to compare their own weight status to that of the general population.
To see the formula based on either kilograms and meters or pounds and inches, visit How is BMI calculated and interpreted?
CDC link: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/adult_BMI/about_adult_BMI.htm
