Health Is More Than A Number On The Scales

As we discussed in a previous article on our new Positive Health Program, medical professionals look at many different factors when managing your health. What is the best tool to pull together some of these important factors? Introducing the Body Composition Analysis tool.

BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS

The Body Composition Analysis is far from the scales of nightmares (think The Biggest Loser where your weight is projected in flashing lights on a giant screen), these scales use discretion cutting edge technology that tells you and your GP vital information about your body to help review your overall state of health.

YOUR TAILORED HEALTH PROGRAM

This information can then be used by your GP to tailor a nutrition, fitness and overall health program for you to feel your best and lead your healthiest life.

Let's take a look at 10 of 19 pieces of data the Body Composition Analysis can tell us about our bodies and why it's important.

Information sourced from Tanita.

The Body Composition Analysis delivers a full body composition analysis in 15 seconds. Results are instantly shown on the easy-to-read LCD screen and the integrated printer automatically prints the body composition measurements together with a top line analysis.

1. Body Fat Percentage and Body Fat Mass

Body Fat Percentage is the proportion of fat to the total body weight. Body Fat Mass is the actual weight of fat in your body.

Body fat is essential for maintaining body temperature, cushioning joints and protecting internal organs.

2. Visceral Fat

Visceral fat is located deep in the core abdominal area, surrounding and protecting the vital organs.

Even if an adult's weight and body fat remain constant, the distribution of fat naturally changes with age and is more likely to shift to the abdominal area as we age. Ensuring a healthy level of visceral fat directly reduces the risk of certain diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure and may delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

3. Muscle Mass

The predicted weight of muscle in your body.

Muscle mass includes the skeletal muscles, smooth muscles such as cardiac and digestive muscles and the water contained within these muscles. Muscles act as an engine in consuming energy. A healthy level of muscle mass for your age shows that you are keeping fit and active and that you are at a lower risk of injury and frailty.

4. Fat Free Mass

Total body weight excluding body fat mass.

Fat Free Mass includes everything from skin, bones, ligaments and tendons, to organs and water content. A high level of fat free mass generally implies a lean and healthy body frame.

5. Total Body Water

Total Body Water is the total amount of fluid in the body expressed as a percentage of total weight.

Water is an essential part of staying healthy. Over half the body consists of water. It regulates body temperature and helps eliminate waste. Water is continuously lost through urine, sweat and breathing so it's important to drink regularly throughout each day to maintain adequate hydration levels.

Healthy Total Body Water % ranges are:

Female 45 to 60%

Male 50 to 65%

6. Bone Mass

The predicted weight of bone mineral in your body.

While bone mass in an adult is unlikely to undergo noticeable changes in the short term, maintaining healthy bones through a combination of a balanced diet rich in calcium and plenty of weight-bearing exercise is crucial. This is not a bone density reading.

7. Physique Rating

Assesses muscle and body fat levels and rates the result as one of nine body types.

As a person's activity level changes, the balance of body fat and muscle mass will gradually alter, which in turn will affect their overall physique. Together with your GP, you can set a physique rating body type as a target and work towards this goal. As you follow your programme and get closer to your target, this will help increase your motivation as you will see the results of your training and healthy eating.

8. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The daily minimum level of energy or calories your body requires when at rest (including sleeping) in order to function effectively.

About 70% of calories consumed each day are used for the body's basal metabolism.

9. Metabolic Age

Compares your BMR to an average for your age group.

Metabolic age is calculated by comparing an individual's Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) to the BMR average of their chronological age group.

10. Body Mass Index

A standardised ratio of weight to height used as a general indicator of health.

BMI can be calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by the square of height (in meters). BMI is a good general indicator of population studies but has significant limitations when assessing on an individual level.

BOOK YOUR BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS

Your doctor will discuss the value of these measurements with you as part of your Positive Health Program. An emphasis will be evident on how the combination of these metrics from the Body Composition Analysis takes the focus away from it being merely a diet and weight loss goal, to a healthy living focus.

At Hawthorne Clinic we use our body composition scales for a large range of patients, not simply those who want to lose weight.

Book for a Body Composition Analysis to get started with your tailored nutrition, fitness and overall health program.

If you have any questions regarding the Body Composition Analysis please contact reception.