Body composition

The three main components of human body are

muscles,bones and fat.

Body composition measurements attempt to measure

mass and relative amount of these components in

individuals.

Results for children and youth can’t be compared with

those of adult population as such.

Body size is determined by height and weight.

Body build is the form or structure of the body.

Muscularity (mesomorphy)

Linearity (ectomorphy)

Fatness (endomorphy)

Fat mass

Fat-free mass

Body composition refers to the chemical composition of the body.

Body build

Theoretical model of adult population (Behnke)

Male Female

Age (y) 20-24 20-24

Standing height (m) 1.74 1.64

Body mass (kg) 70.0 56.7

Fat (kg) 10.5 15.3

Essential 2.1 6.8

Storage 8.4 8.5

F% 15.0 27.0

Essential 3.0 12.0

Storage 12.0 15.0

Muscle (kg) 31.3 20.4

Relative amount of muscle (%) 44.8 36.0

Bone (kg) 10.4 6.8

Relative amount of bone (%) 14.9 12.0

Rest of body (kg) 17.6 14.1

Relative amount of rest of body (%) 25.3 25.0

Lean body mass (kg) 61.7 48.5

Essential fat (kg) 1.86 6.80

Essential fat (%) 3.0 14.0

Muscles (kg) 30.8 20.4

Muscles (%) 50.0 42.0

Bones (kg) 10.4 6.8

Bones (%) 17.0 14.0

BMI, Body Mass Index

(kg/m2):

l

mBMI 2

Measurement of body mass attempts to tell if a person

has too high or too low body mass.

Changes in body mass don’t indicate changes in the

amount of body fat.

Body mass relative to height (BMI) explains changes in

body composition in for instance dieting

Approximation of fat location by waist:hip measurement

High fat content of body is a health risk.

Localization of body fat at certain places in body is an

important factor for these risks.

So called visceral fat (around internal organs) has been

shown to be very detrimental for health:

hypertension

type II diabetes

hyperlipidemy

heart problems

Waist circumference of more than 100 cm for men and 90

cm for women is considered good indication of middle-

body fatness.

The relationship should be less than 0.95 for men and less

than 0.86 fo women.

Fatfold measurements

Body composition measurement done by subcutaneous

fatfolds correlates well (r > 0.80) with hydrostatic

weighing.

Subcutaneous fat is in direct relationship with whole-

body fat.

Measurements differ by number and placement of

fatfolds:

- 4-pisteen menetelmä (Durnin & Rahaman, 1967)

- 7-pisteen menetelmä (Jackson & Pollock, 1985)

d. Bioimpedance (BIA)

Lean body mass

= Body weight – storage fat

(Fat-free mass = Body weight – all fat)

Skeleton weight= 3.02 * (H2 * F * R * 100)0.712

H = standing height

F = right + left femurcondyle

width

R = right + left radioulnar

width

Achieving Optimal Weight

Combine proper diet with exercise.

Lose no more than 0.5 to 1.0 kg (1 to 2 lb) per week.

Reduce caloric intake by 200 to 500 kcal less than daily energy expenditure.

Use moderate resistance and endurance training.

Decrease fat mass and increase fat-free mass