Body composition analysis relies on BMI calculation, understanding BMR/RMR standards, and identifying the biochemistry behind fat metabolism and lipolysis.
There isn't one ideal body weight for all men of the same height, since body composition plays a role. Muscle weighs more than fat, so a muscular guy could weigh more than a man of the same height who carries much of his weight as fat.
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Although body mass index and body fat percentage tend to be related, BMI -- a calculation based on height and weight -- doesn't necessarily accurately predict a person's body fat percentage.
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With so many images in the media of very thin women, some people will diet to try to fit in with this idea of beauty and in the process become so thin that they're unhealthy. Others may be overly thin for different reasons, but whatever the cause, it isn't healthy to be underweight.
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Because a number of factors can affect metabolism, there isn't a particular age when a teen's metabolism slows down -- it varies from one teenager to another.
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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.
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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.
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Weight loss is helpful for lowering your disease risk, but if you go about it the wrong way, you may end up with a higher body fat percentage than when you started.
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Being healthy doesn't only mean you're at a healthy weight, it also means you have a healthy body composition without too much body fat. Having a body that's too high in body fat can put you at an increased risk for disease, including diabetes and heart disease, even if you're at a healthy weight.
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Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, so you won't find a chart that lists standard waist and hip size to go with each height and weight. You will, however, find a healthy weight range for each height, a healthy waist size range for a given hip size, and a healthy waist size range for a specific height.
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If you're trying to lose or gain weight, knowing your ideal body weight can help you determine a goal. You can use a simple equation to figure out your ideal body weight, or IBW, but other considerations are important as well if you want to stay healthy.
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Some types of body fat -- such as the visceral fat that lies deep in your abdomen and surrounds your internal organs -- are more harmful to your health than others. Visceral fat increases your risk for certain health conditions, including breast cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
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You can't determine your body composition solely by your height and wrist size. Wrist size varies from person to person, and typically is associated with overall frame size rather than with body composition. The only way to obtain an accurate idea of your body composition is to measure your body fat percentage.
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Body fat percentage for elite athletes can vary based on many factors, so no "typical" guideline exists. Although elite athletes in some sports are often slim and muscular, this isn't the case with all elite athletes.
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To reduce body fat and stay at the same weight, you would need to build muscle at the same time as you lose fat, which isn't possible for most people.
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Knowing the average BMI -- body mass index -- for your age group can help you determine how you compare to other people of the same age, but, even if you have an average BMI, it doesn't necessarily mean you're healthy. In fact, for many age groups, having an average BMI may classify you as overweight.
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