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BODY COMPOSITION
Anthropometry measurement of body size and proportions including
skinfold thicknesses, circumferences, bony widths and lengths, height, and
body weight. quantitative measurements of human landmarks
Body composition - two-component model - the amount of fat and fat-free
mass of which the body is composed. Fat-free mass is primarily composed
of bone, muscle, vital organs, and connective tissue.
Four-component model - fat, protein, mineral, water
Why assess body composition?
Suitable body composition is important for health.
Establish reasonable fatness ranges for athletes in various sports
Accurate measures of body composition are needed to develop sound
weight reduction programs
Knowledge of bone mineral content in women and children is
important.
Monitor changes in body composition associated with disease.
Obesity complication --> Type II Diabetes mellitus, high inflammatory markers in body
Eating disorders --> Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa
"Male type" (android) obesity - excess fat is deposited on the upper torso and
around the abdomen apple shape. Male type obesity is associated with
higher health risks.
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"Female type" (gynoid) obesity - excess fat is deposited below the waist in
the thighs, hips, and buttocks (ie) pear shape. After menopause females
begin depositing more fat in the abdominal area
III. Obesity
The combination of diabetes and obesity is one of the largest epidemics the
world has faced. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing
around the world and the obese are becoming more severely obese.
Obesity now ranks as the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the
USA about 330,000 deaths yearly. Deaths from tobacco use ranks first.
Obese individuals with a BMI of 30 or larger can expect about a 7 year
decrease in longevity. Survival rates progressively increase as BMI
decreases.
BMI = body mass in kg/height m^2
higher the body mass, more BMI
The absolute value of BMI is not used to classify weight status in children
because change in BMI is normal and expected as children grow and
develop. In children, 2 to 19 years of age, a BMI between the 5th and 84th
percentiles is healthy, between the 85th and 94th percentiles is overweight, and
at or above the 95th percentile is obese.
Recent research evidence indicates that these BMI cut-off points may need
revision because the relationship between BMI and body composition, and
between indices of fat distribution and the actual amount of visceral fat,
differs across ethnic groups. For example, Asian populations have a higher
body fat percentage at a lower BMI compared to Caucasians. Change the
definition for overweight for Asian populations from 25 to 23?
A 2007 study in Vancouver found that, for the same amount of total body fat,
Chinese and South Asian people had a far greater concentration in their inner
abdomen, where it poses the greatest risk for diabetes and heart disease.
The main assumption of BMI guidelines is that BMI is closely associated
with body fatness and consequent morbidity and mortality. However, some
individuals who are overweight are not over-fat.
Criticism - BMI does not differentiate body composition.
BMI of NFL football players: Marshawn Lynch = 32.1, Ray Lewis = 33,
Nick Mangold = 36.6
BMI of NHL hockey players: Sidney Crosby = 27.8, Alexander Ovechkin =
28.8
Accumulating research evidence shows that waist circumference and/or
waist-to-hip ratio may be a better predictor of obesity related health risks
than BMI.
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