Drop weight too quickly or with an unhealthy diet plan and the number on the scale might go down, but you'll lose valuable muscle in the process. Follow a weight-loss protocol that helps you lose body fat, not just overall weight.

Your metabolic rate relates to the energy your body uses in a day, measured in units of energy called calories. When you're managing your weight, a faster metabolism means you can take in more calories from food and drink without gaining weight.

Women who are 5 feet 8 inches tall have ideal body weights higher than women of shorter statures. Normal weights for women who are 5 feet 8 inches tall are determined using frame size, activity level and body mass index, or BMI.

While a lightning-fast metabolism can make it easier to lose weight, it won't necessarily make you healthier. The advantage of burning a lot of energy and easy weight control may have a trade-off in terms of life expectancy.

Body fat naturally fluctuates throughout your life, so it's normal for body fat levels to change when you're in your teens. Puberty also affects how your body stores fat, so it's normal for girls to gain fat because of hormonal changes.

Many of us dream about dropping enough weight to have a flat, bikini stomach, but unless you’re already thin, it will probably take longer than a week. Shrinking your belly is dependent on lowering your overall body fat percentage and that takes time, depending on what your starting point is.

Most women would like to have a slim waistline, but belly fat is more than just a cosmetic problem. Excessive abdominal fat increases your risk for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

A scale tells you how much you gross weight you carry, but it can't tell you what type of tissue comprises that weight. Even if you have a healthy weight, your body fat levels might pose a health risk.

Body composition is the percentage of bone, muscle, water and fat you carry. The more fat you have, the higher your risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. The body mass index (BMI) is an internationally used means for measuring your body composition that you or your physician can calculate.

Approximately 17 percent of children qualify as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity puts your child at an increased risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

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Most child characteristics—including weight and height—vary across a wide range. View any group of children of the same age and gender, and you will see some children who are shorter than others, some who tower over their peers, some who seem scrawny and some who appear to be carrying extra pounds.