The Cooper Institute FIT TALKS Body Composition FINAL

Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you are tall, short, thick, thin, curvy or straight, there is a healthy body composition range for everyone.

What is body composition?

Body composition measures how much of your body is fat and how much is fat-free, such as muscle, bones and water. Everyone needs some body fat to be healthy. Too much body fat can lead to serious health problems caused by obesity. Too little body fat is also dangerous and can be a sign of malnutrition or an eating disorder and even make one more susceptible to disease. Understanding your body composition is an important step to understand your health risks.

How do we measure body composition?

FitnessGram by The Cooper Institute measures body composition by estimating what percentage of the body is fat. Body Mass Index, or BMI, is one method of estimating your risk of obesity and health-related problems. BMI does not measure fat directly, but it does factor in your height to weight ratio, age and sex to determine whether you are in the healthy fitness zone.

Why do we measure body composition?

Overweight youth are at higher risk for becoming overweight adults. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even some types of cancer. Very low levels of body fat can also weaken your immune system, cause heart problems, make your bones more brittle, cause hormone problems, and even affect your brain. Remember some fat is necessary for good health.

Can I improve my body composition?

Most people can improve their body composition and reduce their risk of future health problems with physical activity. Young people need at least 60 minutes every day of moderate physical activity. But you can’t “out-exercise” a bad diet. Eating healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and avoiding junk food are also very important. Maintaining a healthy body composition with regular physical activity and good nutrition will help you perform your best in school and in extracurricular activities now and well into the future.