Many things play a role in a person's body composition, including gender, diet, fitness level, genetics and activity level. When evaluating body fat, it is important to remember that it's not only high levels of fat that can be a risk, but also levels that are too low.

Many women are looking for a quick, effective workout routine that targets the abs, hips, butt and thighs. The best female workout routines are combination exercises that tone the muscles without bulking.

At around 12 or 13, your preteen's body is gearing up for a large growth spurt, notes the Baylor College of Medicine. Because of this, your usually thin 12-year-old may suddenly complain about excess weight.

Creases on your stomach are usually due to excess fat. When you sit, your stomach may fold slightly, causing crease marks to appear. Even if you are not overweight, the cellulite on your stomach can become creased.

Running on an empty stomach may not burn more calories, but exercising when you are hungry can burn more fat. Your muscles burn carbohydrates for energy, but when a sufficient quantity of carbohydrates is not immediately available, your body turns to stored energy, or fat, to fuel your workout.

For the average 18-year-old female, the bicacromial or shoulder width is about 14 inches or 35 cm. For comparison, the average biacromial width is about 15 inches or 39 cm. for males of the same age.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder that affects between 5 and 10 percent of American women, according to Harvard Medical School. PCOS is a disorder characterized by high levels of the male hormone, androgen, which often results in weight gain.

You dilly-dallied, and now only a few days remain before that big event for which you want to look just smashing. It's silly to think you can lose substantial weight in a matter of days, but you can create the appearance of sleekness while reducing any extra water weight and bloat.

If losing weight were easy, more than two-thirds of Americans wouldn't be overweight and the 64 billion dollar weight loss industry would probably be out of biz too.

You've been sniffling and sneezing and your throat is sore. You don't feel like going to work let alone working out at the gym. You may have lost your appetite for everything but chicken noodle soup.

There's a reason why most people shy away from taking the stairs at work and why coaches across the country have their athletes sprinting up and down stadium steps. Climbing stairs is hard work for your heart and your muscles.

Occasionally everyone feels a random bout of weakness during a diet and exercise regime, because it’s the body’s way of rebooting or adjusting to the workload.