Obesity affects one in three adults in the United States, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But your weight provides only one measurement of body fat.

Salt substitutes consist of potassium and chloride, two necessary elements in the body. People without kidney problems excrete excess potassium in the urine, but people with damaged kidneys cannot excrete the extra potassium, which builds up in the body.

Children come in all shapes and sizes. Some are short, some are tall, some are stout and some are thin. Both genetic and environmental factors influence height and weight. The average height and weight of children varies by gender, age, race, ethnicity and nationality.

The ideal weight range for women varies depending on who you ask and which chart you consult. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, being an ideal weight does not mean having an ideal body.

Your body mass index, or BMI, is a measure of your body fat based on your height and weight, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. In order to be at an ideal weight, you must have a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight, and below 18.5 is considered underweight.

Body composition is a better measure of your body's health than weight alone. You may be a normal weight for your height but carrying too many of those pounds in the form of fat, and having too much fat puts you at risk for chronic disease.

The formation of breast tissue in males can be a painfully embarrassing condition. Known clinically as gynecomastia, it can range from a slight puffiness in the nipple to what looks like a woman's breast.

Skinfold measurement equations can help produce a relatively accurate estimate of body fat as long as the measurements are taken correctly. Two equations are required for this process -- one to estimate body density and one to estimate percent body fat from the body density.

People tend to carry fat differently in their bodies; you might notice heavier jowls in some, or a pudgy muffin-top creeping over the waistband. You might prefer to smooth your stomach or trim your thighs, but it’s not possible to isolate body regions for weight reduction.

Having a body fat percentage that's higher than recommended can put you at an increased risk of heart disease and other health problems. Losing 1 percent of your body fat may mean losing just a couple of pounds if you're only slightly overweight.

The metabolism gets blamed for weight issues on both ends of the spectrum. If it's too slow, you may battle to lose weight; if it's too fast, you may struggle with gaining. Whether it's slow or fast, tweaking your diet and exercise habits may help you manage your metabolic rate.

Abdominal fat can be devious, gradually building up over your adult years until you suddenly have an unwanted pooch. Your body stores subcutaneous and visceral fat, both of which add inches to your waistline. Subcutaneous fat hibernates just beneath your skin and you can grasp it with your fingers.