Learn More About the Importance of Body Composition

It’s easy to get sucked into the world of fad diets, especially when you see the results plastered all over the checkout line at the supermarket. Those diets, however, are focusing on the wrong thing. Most weight loss programs and diets focus on, you guessed it: weight loss. This may seem like a good thing, but in the long run you could be much better off by focusing on body composition instead. Weight loss could involve losing important tissue such as muscle, while body composition focuses on only losing fat while gaining muscle and strength.

Body composition is technically the ratio of fat to non-fat tissue in the body. By understanding this ratio you can begin to effectively shift in the direction of non-fat tissue, thereby losing weight but also gaining muscle. Knowing your body type through our simple, 5-minute test is also a great way to design a weight loss plan that will work for you.

The Different Body Types

If you are overweight or obese, our test will show that and give you a good idea of where to start. We look at your total weight, your SMM (skeletal muscle mass), and your body fat mass. Your SMM is a number that represents the amount of muscles you can growth through exercise. Your body fat mass is simply the amount of fat (subcutaneous and visceral) that you have on your body. When these numbers are shown in relation to one another, a good picture of your body type can be formed.

Types of Fat

Body composition also takes a look at the different types of fat that are present throughout the body. This is visceral vs. subcutaneous. High amounts of visceral fat can lead to dangerous health issues, as this fat is typically stored in the abdominal region around your organs. Type two diabetes is associated with high levels of this type of fat. Subcutaneous fat is generally what people think of when they think of fat. This fat is located directly under the skin, not around the organs, but it can still lead to dangerous health issues if there is too much of it. Knowing the types of fat, how much of each you have, as well as how to get rid of them will help you craft a plan to effectively lose weight and build muscle.

Get In Touch with Us for Further Information

If you are interested in learning more about body composition, or if you would like to undergo the test to see your ratio, be sure to make an appointment with Enhanced Wellness Living! At our convenient location in Ridgeland, our caring and devoted team of professionals will be pleased to explain this option to you in full and answer any questions. We are proudly serving residents in the Jackson, Ridgeland, Bolton, Brandon, Canton, Clinton, Madison & Vicksburg, Mississippi area. Contact us today to set up your consultation!