Assessing Body Composition

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Assessing Body Weight & Body Composition
Body weight refers to total weight while body composition is a subcomponent of body weight, measuring the amounts of fat, muscle, bone, and water found in the body. Some methods used for measuring the total weight of an individual include height-weight tables and BMI (body mass index). Height-weight charts provide estimated ranges that are associated with the longest life expectancies (McGuire & Beerman, 2013). On the other hand, BMI depends on the ratio of weight to height in an individual. BMI gives a more accurate measurement of body weight than height-weight charts, and can indicate the risk for developing health problems. However, it has does not account for the composition of weight such as fat, lean mass, bone density, and water (Esmat, 2016). Methods for measuring body composition include: hydrostatic weighing, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, bioelectrical impedance, and skinfold thickness. The most affordable method of assessing body composition would be skinfold thickness, which involves the …show more content…

Regarding diet, low-fat and high-carbohydrate diets have been proven to be the most effective for a weight-loss plan (McGuire & Beerman, 2013). Avoiding foods that have an abundance in trans and saturated fatty acids does justice in decreasing body fat levels. Addressing exercise, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that adults participate in moderately intense physical activity for about 150 minutes and 75 minutes of vigorously intense exercise a week. A successful weight loss regime must consist of: setting attainable goals, selecting and consuming nutrient-dense foods in moderation, and increasing energy expenditure through exercise (McGuire & Beerman, 2013). These are the primary guidelines for that lay the foundation for a safe weight-loss

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