Body composition analysis: What you need to know

What is body composition?

Body composition refers to the distribution of different components that constitute an individual's body, categorized into distinct compartments based on their composition. These constituents primarily encompass fat, lean tissue (including muscle, bones, organs, and water), and occasionally bone mineral content. Ideal body composition can vary based on factors such as age, gender, genetics, and an individual health goals. Analyzing body composition helps gauge the relative proportions of these components within an individual's body and, hence, provides a more holistic and accurate picture of one’s state of health.

Why does measuring body composition matter?

Measuring body composition provides a more detailed and accurate assessment of an individual's overall health and fitness compared to just measuring body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI).

• Lean Mass vs. Fat Mass: Body composition analysis allows you to distinguish between lean body mass (muscles, bones, organs, etc.) and fat mass. This is crucial because two individuals with the same weight and height might have vastly different proportions of muscle and fat, resulting in different health implications. It also allows one to accurately determine the quality of the BMI.

• Health Risk Identification: Excess body fat, particularly visceral fat (fat around internal organs), is associated with various health risks such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. By measuring body composition, you can identify individuals who are at a higher risk due to excessive fat accumulation, even if their BMI falls within a healthy range.

• Personalized Health and Fitness Plans: Measuring body composition allows for a more individualized approach to health and fitness. Depending on an individual's goals, a personalized plan can be developed to target fat loss, muscle gain, or overall body composition improvement.

• Monitoring the Aging Process: As people age, there is a tendency to lose muscle mass and gain fat. This can lead to an increase in overall body weight and a decrease in metabolic rate. Body composition measurements can help individuals understand these changes and make appropriate lifestyle adjustments.

What are the various body composition components?

The central components typically considered in body composition are:

• Fat Mass: This denotes the total volume of adipose tissue or body fat present in an individual's body. Body fat is the most variable constituent of the body, composed of essential fat and storage fat.

• Essential Fat: Vital for normal bodily functioning, it includes fat present in the bone marrow, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, muscles, and lipid-rich tissues within the central nervous system.

• Storage Fat: is of two types.

1. Subcutaneous Fat: Located beneath the skin and visible as well as touchable fat. It affects body shape and often motivates efforts to improve body composition.

2. Visceral Fat: Accumulates around abdominal organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Visceral fat poses higher health risks than subcutaneous fat and is linked to conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Excess visceral fat can lead to metabolic obesity, increasing susceptibility to chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver and even cancers.

• Fat-Free Mass (FFM): Encompasses all non-fat elements in the body, including muscles, bones, water (both intracellular and extracellular), minerals, proteins, and organs. Lean body mass represents the weight of your muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and internal organs. Lean body mass differs from fat-free mass. Since there is some essential fat in the marrow of your bones and internal organs, the lean body mass includes a small percentage of essential fat.

  • Muscle Mass: Muscle mass refers to the amount of muscle tissue in your body.

  • Bone Mass: An assessment of bone mineral content and bone density.

  • Water Content: A significant proportion of the body's composition is water. Water content can vary based on factors like hydration and muscle mass.

How to improve body composition?

• Optimal Nutrition: Maintain a balanced diet to aid fat loss and muscle gain. Consume the right calories with a balanced mix of macronutrients - protein for muscle, complex carbs for energy, and healthy fats. Control portions and opt for whole, unprocessed foods like lean proteins, fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Hydration is key for metabolism and well-being.

• Effective Exercise: Create a workout plan. Doing strength training 2-3 times a week with weights and bodyweight exercises boosts muscle. Add cardio, like running or cycling for calorie burn and heart health. Aim for 150 mins of moderate level or 75 mins of vigorous level cardio weekly.

• Sleep and Stress: Prioritize sleep (7-9 hrs.) for hormone balance and muscle recovery. Manage stress with techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.

How to measure body composition?

Various methods are used to measure body composition, ranging from simple techniques like skinfold calipers and bioelectrical impedance, to more advanced methods such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), air displacement plethysmography (Bod Pod), and even more sophisticated techniques like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans.

Body weight and body fat scales offer a convenient way to get a quick estimate of your body fat percentage using bioelectrical impedance. These scales use a gentle electrical current to measure resistance in your body. While they can offer a convenient snapshot of your body composition, it's important to consider factors like hydration levels and scale standard that can influence their accuracy.