Body Composition Scale

How someone views weight loss and fat loss will have a huge bearing on their attempts to become leaner. To many, weight loss and fat loss are viewed as the same and often are used interchangeably in normal, every-day conversation without complication. But for many a distinction needs to be made.

Fat loss can be defined as a reduction in body fat only and can change even when total body weight remains the same. For example, when someone follows a resistance training program, their muscle mass may increase and their fat levels may decrease, but because one change offsets the other, overall body weight can remain virtually the same.

Muscle and liver storage of glycogen (carbohydrate) and water can affect body weight without effecting body fat levels. Following a bout of resistance training, and assuming adequate nutrition has been consumed with sufficient amounts of carbohydrate, the muscle and liver glycogen (carbohydrate) stores are filled to capacity. And for every 1 gram of glycogen stored, 3-4 grams of water is also stored. (This is why muscles appear to be bigger and fuller the day after a weights session. The muscle hasn’t dramatically grown overnight; it’s just full of glycogen and water). This storage explains why even though body fat levels haven’t changed, total body weight can fluctuate on a daily basis.

When this process is manipulated, rapid weight loss is possible (and spot reduction – but that’s another article). Training depletes the muscle of glycogen and water, and if not replaced, the body becomes lighter on the scales and rapid weight loss is reported, albeit without a reduction in actual body fat.

This brings us to our definition of weight loss – a reduction in total body weight whether it’s from a reduction in body fat, muscle tissue, water stores, glycogen stored, liver glycogen stores or a combination of 2 or more.

Unfortunately, too many people fail to see the difference between fat loss and weight loss and mistakenly focus on total body weight, thinking that to reach their ‘ideal size’ their weight must be a certain number on the scales. This line of thinking has serious implications in terms of exercise adherence and motivation. For example, a minimal or non-existent reduction in total body weight can be seen as a failure even though a reduction in body fat has occurred. For those that fail, or simply refuse to distinguish between fat loss and weight loss, this may be enough to deter them from continuing with their exercise program.

Weight loss without an associated loss in fat is an unfavourable outcome. This usually means that muscle tissue is being lost and that’s bad news for your metabolism. Your muscle mass drives your metabolic rate so any reduction makes it harder to for your body to lose fat and to avoid gaining fat.

Another body composition scenario that may occur is that total body weight may stay the, with an increase in body fat and a decrease in muscle mass. This is common amongst retired sports people who cease training, resulting in muscle atrophy (wasting), but continue to follow the eating habits they had when playing and training. Although muscle can’t literally turn into fat, this is a common and reasonable description of what happens when people stop training and continue familiar eating habits.

So when someone is following an exercise program to lose fat, they must be aware of the distinction between fat loss, weight loss, and muscle mass. And realise that in all probability, if they include a resistance training component for muscle mass and metabolic maintenance, their body weight won’t change as much as their size will.

Body Fat Scale

Body Composition Scale – Measurement Techniques Part 5 (Types Of Anthropometric Measurement)

Skinfold methods

The skinfold estimation methods are based on a skinfold test, whereby a pinch of skin is precisely measured by calipers at several standardized points on the body to determine the subcutaneous fat layer thickness. These measurements are converted to an estimated body fat percentage by an equation. Some formulas require as few as three measurements, others as many as seven.

The accuracy of these estimates is more dependent on a person’s unique body fat distribution than on the number of sites measured. As well, it is of utmost importance to test in a precise location with a fixed pressure. Although it may not give an accurate reading of real body fat percentage, it is a reliable measure of body composition change over a period of time, provided the test is carried out by the same person with the same technique.

Skinfold-based body fat estimation is sensitive to the type of caliper used, and technique. This method also only measures one type of fat: subcutaneous adipose tissue (fat under the skin). Two individuals might have nearly identical measurements at all of the skin fold sites, yet differ greatly in their body fat levels due to differences in other body fat deposits such as visceral adipose tissue: fat in the abdominal cavity.

Some models partially address this problem by including age as a variable in the statistics and the resulting formula. Older individuals are found to have a lower body density for the same skinfold measurements, which is assumed to signify a higher body fat percentage. However, older, highly athletic individuals might not fit this assumption, causing the formulas to underestimate their body density.

Height and circumference methods

There also exist formulas for estimating body fat percentage from an individual’s weight and girth measurements. For example, the U.S. Navy Circumference method compares abdomen or waist and hips measurements to neck measurement and height and other sites claim to estimate one’s body fat percentage by a conversion from the body mass index. In the Navy the method is known as the “rope and choke.”

The U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army also rely on the Height and Circumference method. For males, they measure the neck and waist just above the navel. Females are measured around the hips, waist, and neck. These measurements are compared to a height/weight chart with age factored in as well. This method is used because it is a cheap and convenient way to implement a body fat test throughout the entire Department of Defense.

Due to different body compositions, those with larger necks may artificially generate lower body fat percentage calculations than those with smaller necks.

Body Composition Scale – Recommendations Regarding Body Fat Percentages

Some body fat percentage levels are more culturally valued than others, and some are related to better health or improved athletic performance.

Actual levels of body fat are dependent on gender and age.

Different authorities have developed different recommendations for ideal body fat percentages, such as these from the The American Council on Exercise:

Body Composition Scale

Essential Body Composition Scale Body Fat Percentages

Note that the essential fat values in the chart shown are lower than the recommended minimum body fat percentage levels.

A small amount of storage fat is required to be available as fuel for the body in time of need.

Ideal Body Fat Composition Still Unclear As Relating To Best Overall Health

It is unclear whether falling in a particular category of these body fat percentages is better for one’s health than any other, but there seem to be enhancements in athletic performance as one nears the ideal body fat percentage range for one’s particular sport.

Body Composition and Body Fat Levels Vary By Gender and Other Factors

The leanest athletes typically compete at levels of about 5–8% for men or 10–15% for women.

Bodybuilders will often compete at ranges even lower than these levels.

Certified personal trainers will suggest to male bodybuilders that they should aim for a body fat percentage between 2–4% by contest time.

How To Reach Optimal Body Fat Levels and Body Composition

Getting to this level usually requires a carefully planned and implemented exercise program, specific and carefully monitored variations in fluid consumption, energy intake and macronutrient ratios, sodium and potassium, and sometimes also use of ointments and alcohol.