Our Services
Body Fat Analysis
Body fat analysis measures the amount of fat in the body, providing valuable information for assessing health risks and guiding weight management programs.
A person can easily estimate their body fat percentage by measuring the circumference of different parts of their body. They should use a tape measure to do this. To get a more accurate estimation, measure the circumference of the neck and waist. Females should also measure the circumference of the hips.
Typical Cases
- Obesity: Excess body fat that increases the risk of health problems.
- Underweight: Insufficient body fat and lean mass.
- Fitness Tracking: Monitoring body composition changes during a fitness program.
- Health Risk Assessment: Evaluating body fat distribution and associated health risks.
Symptoms and Management
- Obesity:
- Symptoms: Excess body weight, difficulty losing weight, increased risk of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, heart disease).
- Management: Diet and exercise programs, behavioral support, and sometimes medications or bariatric surgery.
- Underweight:
- Symptoms: Low body weight, fatigue, frequent illnesses, and nutritional deficiencies.
- Management: High-calorie, nutrient-dense diet, strength training, and sometimes supplements.
- Fitness Tracking:
- Symptoms: Not applicable (used for tracking progress).
- Management: Regular body composition assessments, tailored fitness and diet plans.
- Health Risk Assessment:
- Symptoms: Vary based on fat distribution (e.g., high visceral fat associated with metabolic syndrome).
- Management: Lifestyle changes, targeted exercise programs, and dietary adjustments to reduce health risks.
Methods
- Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA): Uses a small electrical current to estimate body fat percentage.
- Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA): Provides a detailed body composition analysis, including fat mass, lean mass, and bone density.
- Skinfold Measurements: Using calipers to measure the thickness of skinfolds at various body sites to estimate body fat percentage.
- Hydrostatic Weighing: Measures body density by comparing weight underwater and on land, used to calculate body fat percentage.
- Air Displacement Plethysmography (Bod Pod): Measures body volume and density to determine body composition.
Benefits
- Health Risk Assessment: Identifies increased risk for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
- Progress Tracking: Monitors changes in body composition over time to evaluate the effectiveness of diet and exercise programs.
- Personalized Recommendations: Provides specific guidance for achieving and maintaining a healthy body composition.