Essay On Body Weight

The human body weight is composed of lean weight and fat weight. Lean weight comes from the mass of visceral organs, bones and skeletal muscles. Fat weight, on the other hand, comes from the visceral fat which is fat stored in the organs and muscles essential for various body processes and subcutaneous fat which is fat stored underneath the skin (Mazzeo and Mangili, 2012). Most people use bathroom scales to gauge their weight, however, this may not accurately reflect the lean weight versus the fat weight. Therefore, to accurately weigh the body, tests should be conducted in conjunction with the use of weighing scales. This paper aims to discuss body fat measurement methods, particularly the Skinfold Test. The amount of body fat can be measured in two methods: directly and indirectly. Direct methods include chemical analysis and physical dissection relative to the body constituents of fats, water, protein and minerals (Battinelli, 2007). This includes hydrodensitometry, girth measurements, ultrasound, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and magnetic resonance. Indirect methods, alternatively, provides non-invasive evaluation of lean weight and fat weight (Battinelli, 2007). This includes total body electrical conductivity or impedance, near-infrared interactance, computed tomography and 3D

There is minimal equipment and time needed to set-up and conduct the test. It can be done anywhere. However, there are also disadvantages. This includes the need for specialists in using the caliper and administering the test. Also, this test is prone to human error. A person can make mistake in every step of the way: in measuring, in calculating, in choosing he skinfold, in using the caliper. There are risks for errors causing inaccuracy. Also, this test doesn’t account for the visceral fat which is also part of the total body fat. Digital measuring equipments and modernized processes can be more reliable in this