Scientists are trying to figure out how to turn fat cells that store energy in the body into fat cells that burn energy, allowing anyone who is overweight to turn fat stores into energy and thus prevent obesity and other related diseases.
By manipulating the body’s fat deposits, we can make great progress in the fight against obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, which is linked to lifestyle.
The body stores two main types of fat: white and brown, or brown. White is the dominant one. It is essentially found on the waist, hips and thighs and stores energy, releasing fatty acids when energy is needed. Eating to excess for an extended period causes white fat cells to swell, leading to obesity.
Brown fat has an opposite function to white fat, and allows the body to transform energy from food into heat. Brown fat, when fully activated, burns 20% of our food consumption and protects us from obesity. How to calculate the percentage of body fat
Contents
- How to calculate your body fat percentage
- Circumference measurement
- The intelligent scales
- Bioelectrical impedance
- Hydrostatic weighing
- Air Plethysmography
- How useful is it to calculate fat
- Why calculate your own body fat
- Being overweight carries medical risks
- When to see a doctor
- Conclusions
The methods for calculating body fat are many, from modern smart scales, which is a do-it-yourself method, to air plethysmography which must be done using a special machine that must be managed by an expert.
But let’s see the methodologies used to find out our body fat rate. Circumference Measurement
This method of estimating body fat works by measuring a series of values ​​that relate to the circumference of the body, such as waist, hips, forearm, as well as height and weight.
You will only need a measuring tape, possibly not rigid, to facilitate your operation. The intelligent scales
The smart scales that allow us to weigh ourselves today not only give weight, but also a range of body composition statistics, including body fat percentage. They may resemble normal scales with a floor to rest your feet on, but they may also have hand accessories.
They work by sending small electrical impulses through the body and measuring the time within which they return.
This mechanism works because current flows more easily through parts of the body that are mainly made up of water, such as muscles and blood, than through fat or bones.
It is a type of scale that is easy to use, and the percentage of body fat is given instantly. Some of these scales also connect to applications, which allow you to track your progress.
The reliability of the results may vary based on some factors, for example if you are dehydrated the amount of body fat will be overestimated.
They are not suitable for people with pacemakers. Some are relatively inexpensive, but the best and most accurate models can be expensive. Bioelectrical Impedance Bioelectrical impedance
scales are a popular method of measuring body composition because they are inexpensive and easily found.
The device sends a small amount of electrical current through one foot, up the body, then to the other foot.
It analyzes and measures the electrical signal after it has run its course and estimates aspects of your body composition based on how fast the current is transmitted.
Lean tissue and fat mass conduct electrical signals very differently, so the scale can use the difference to estimate body composition. However, the accuracy may vary. It is recommended that you use the scale at about the same time each day for more accurate results, as activity and hydration level can cause the figures to vary. Hydrostatic weighing
Hydrostatic weighing measures your density, which is then used to estimate body fat. Fat is less dense than bones and muscles, so a person with a higher percentage of fat will weigh less underwater than the amount of water they displace and float more.
You will need to sit on a chair mounted underwater and on a scale. Once all the air is expelled from your lungs, you will be lowered into a tub of water until you are completely submerged and you will remain motionless while the weight is measured underwater.
It is a very accurate technique, and it is also very reliable for evaluating one’s progress.
Most of the tanks are located in universities or research institutes and may not be open to the public.
This is not a very cheap exam and requires a lot of effort, as you have to be completely immersed for 5-7 seconds and must be repeated 2-3 times, so it is not suitable for the elderly or children.
This method is not even the best for evaluating athletes, as they have thicker bones. It does not identify the exact parts of the body where fat is located. Air Plethysmography
Bod Pod technology is similar to underwater weighing, but uses air instead of water: you are weighed before sitting in a small machine called a plethysmograph. By measuring how much air is moved while you are in the car, you measure your body density from which body fat can be calculated.
It is a safe, non-invasive and fast method. It is very accurate with excellent reliability. Unlike underwater weighing, it doesn’t require you to get wet.
The plethysmograph adapts to people of any age, shape and size and allows for accurate examinations for groups including children, obese, elderly and disabled.
It is a somewhat difficult tool to find, in fact it is mainly found in academic and research institutions.
The exam can be expensive, and some people may find it claustrophobic. The test also does not identify the exact parts of the body where fat is located. How useful is it to calculate fat
The correlation between BMI and fat is stark, but even if two people have the same BMI, their level of body fat can be different.
In general, with an identical BMI, women have more fat than men.
The same goes for older people, who tend to have more body fat than younger adults.
For the same BMI, athletes have less body fat than non-athletes.
The accuracy of BMI, i.e. body mass index, also appears to be higher in people with higher levels of body fat. Why calculate your body fat
Measuring and tracking your body fat percentage is very useful, for several reasons.
Knowing your body fat percentage is important in establishing an accurate TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) value.
Most people aim to decrease their fat mass and increase their muscle mass and lean mass.
Knowing your body fat percentage allows you to calculate how many kilograms of fat you are and this helps you set a realistic goal for losing weight. Being overweight carries medical risks
The best reason for achieving and maintaining your ideal weight is to reduce or eliminate the medical problems that are aided by weight gain. These conditions include high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions.
All of these pathologies contribute to an overall increase in mortality.
A person with a BMI over 30 may have a high risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. A low BMI can lead to other problems such as osteoporosis. When to see a doctor
It is important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have about your weight or body fat percentage. It can help you understand how to approach the weight loss process.
Specialists recommend that you lose weight gradually and in a healthy way, that is, following a correct diet and exercising regularly. Conclusions
Body fat reading is more accurate than a simple BMI calculation and can be important when analyzing the risks for certain conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes.
But it is also important to keep in mind that every body is different and that the values ​​can also be out of phase according to the type of body type. Maintain an open dialogue with your doctor, and if you have concerns about weight, consult a specialist.
