(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

Body Composition


The factor they came up with as the most effectively predictor of mortality was BMI. The life insurance companies found that mortality had a minimum when BMI was between 20 and 25. Increases in BMI above this range were linked to increased mortality, and mortality accelerated rapidly when BMI exceeded 30. Mortality also started to steeply increase when BMI was less than 20. A BMI of 20-25 provides a useful target body weight that will minimize mortality. The cut-off points for overweight at a BMI of 25, and for obesity, at a BMI of 30 is an indicator of the initial shallow and subsequent dramatic rise in mortality risk as body fatness increases (Segal, 1992). A body mass index greater than 25 shows statistically significant increased risk of early mortality. If you are obese, with a BMI above 30, then on average your expected lifespan is reduced by a full nine years compared with somebody with a BMI of 20-25. .
             There are several problems that are associated with using body mass index to calculate body composition. This measurement doesn't work well when a person is changing their height over time, so it cannot be used to gauge the body fatness of children, who change in both their weights and height during development. In addition, people who deposit large amounts of lean tissue, for example, body builders and athletes, may also be misclassified as obese. In general, however, BMI does correlate reasonably closely in adults to their true body fatness, particularly if combined with measures such as the circumference of the waist and hips. .
             Underwater weighing is considered the most reliable method of measuring fat and lean body tissue in a clinical setting. The basis of hydrostatic or underwater weighing, technique is Archimedes" principle. Archimedes" priniciple states that the volume of an object submerged in water equals the volume of water the object displaced. Fat tissue is less dense and lean tissue is more dense than water, therefore, fat will float and fat-free tissue will sink.


Essays Related to Body Composition


Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question