Alpine Village Family December 1st, 2007
Body fat is a part of the body that seems to interest almost everybody. For some, it is a topic of humor. For others, it is an obsession. Fat is part of everyone’s anatomy, but takes on a higher level of significance to certain people. The following is a brief discussion of questions and answers about body fat. We will try to describe what body fat is, why we have it, and how it can affect our bodies, both positively and negatively.
I’m not so sure that I know what body fat actually is. Can you give me an accurate definition?
Body fat is nothing more than extremely loose tissue made up of adiposities, and it is a connective tissue. Body fat’s main role is to store energy. It can also cushion and insulate the body. Two main types of fat exist in mammals. One is white adipose tissue and the other is brown adipose tissue. Fatty tissue is usually located beneath the skin, but fat can also surround internal organs to provide adequate padding. The resourcefulness of body fat is exemplified by the fact that it can also provide high levels of nutrients to the body. It is helpful to think of it as an important reserve of nutrients often used by the body.
So, is a large stomach unhealthy?
Without a doubt. You do not want to have excess amounts of fat anywhere on your body. A person who is in good health will have the minimal amount of body fat required for their size. A belly that is larger than it ought to be is indeed a health risk. It is actually more of a health risk than excess fat carried in other parts of the body, such as the buttocks or thighs. Fat centered around the abdomen tends to lead to a higher risk of high blood pressure. You can also expect to be diagnosed with high cholesterol if you are carrying too much weight around your stomach. It is such an issue that some doctors suggest we study the circumference of people’s stomachs rather than their overall body weight.
I’ve heard that it’s possible to measure your own body fat at home. Is this true?
Yes. If you own a body fat scale, you can quickly determine if you have more fat than you need. This type of scale uses something called the Bioelectrical Impedance method to measure the percentage of body fat. It sounds fancy, but here is what happens: A very low-level current passes through your body. Your body’s opposition to the current determines what percentage of fat your body has. This information combines with info regarding your weight and additional factors to calculate your overall body fat percentage. Unfortunately, though, your impedance level can be swayed by the amount of water you drink or your body’s temperature. Not eating or drinking for 4 hours before your test will help solve this problem.
What role does genetics play in a person’s level of body fat?
Unfortunately, those who struggle to keep off high levels of body fat are sometimes genetically inclined to do so. Research has shown a definitive correlation between cases of excess body fat and family members who share the same problem. The simple truth is that if your parents or grandparents were obese or even larger than they should have been, you are more likely to have issues regarding fat. Even more surprisingly, appetite seems to be genetically determined. What we eat and how much we eat is often similar to the diets of our family members. One additional factor affected by genetics is the body’s ability to metabolize food. This affects how our body responds to fatty foods. While it is true that genetics matter, they should not be an excuse for neglecting responsibility when it comes to one’s health.
How can fitness decrease body fat?
One of the most appealing aspects of continual fitness is that it helps burn fat. Quite simply, physical fitness is your greatest ally as you attempt to reduce excess body fat. The formula is one that you have heard before, yet it remains difficult to live by: burn more calories than you consume and you will decrease your body fat. It really is that simple. Some diets try to persuade you to just lessen your caloric intake, but this is hardly enough. You stand a much better chance of maintaining a healthy amount of calories - and hence, body fat - if you aim to burn more calories than you ingest. Exercise is paramount to caloric reduction. Finding the will and the way to do it is the hard part, but you can do it.
. And, you can bet that some of us (yes, I’m a die-hard Jenny Craig member), go weigh in at Jenny Craig and then go straight to Quizno’s for lunch - or maybe that’s just me LOL 