25 Oct Body Fat % Testing: Your Weight is Lying to you.

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]Our current practice of health places a lot of emphasis on weight. Many physician consults, clinical conditions,treatment plans and health policies place significant emphasis on weight and weight management.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]The WHO has stated that there is a global obesity epidemic. In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight.  Over 650 million of these were obese. WHO has defined overweight as a BMI greater than or equal to 25 and obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30. Not to undermine the significance of this, BMI may not be the best way to measure if a person is truly overweight/obese. And even if the person is , this metric may also not be a direct indicator of overall health.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]Allow me to illustrate. A 32 year old male weighing 215 pounds and 5 ft 11 in tall would have a BMI of 30. However, on a DEXA Scan ( Body Composition Testing) the Body Fat Percentage may come out to be 18%. This is a great body fat% and is better than most average people. This person although obese via BMI would be considered Ideal in terms of body fat%.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]BMI is inaccurate because it takes ones weight and divides it by ones height without considering the body composition. Body composition plays a more important role as it is known that higher fat content is related more to disease than higher lean mass.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]There are many ways to measure body fat percentage. The common methods used by most weight scales and gyms are Bioimpedance(Inbody, Withings)  and Calipers. Other methods include Hydrostatic Testing (water dunk test) , Air Displacement Plethysmography (Bod Pod) and Low Dose X-Ray (Dexa Scan). Each has its pros and cons and below is a table summarizing the features of each.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_single_image image=”531″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” qode_css_animation=””][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]I will leave you with this thought. If you are traveling from point A to point B and want to get to your destination in the most efficient way. Would you use a compass or GPS? The obvious answer is a GPS. A GPS will tell you the type of obstacles you may face and more details that will allow you to get to your destination efficiently.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]Similarly, when wanting to make changes in your body, measuring weight is like using a compass. Weight will give you the general direction you are heading without the details that body composition testing can provide. Performing a body composition test will tell you the details of your body makeup and will allow you to reach your destination in a more accurate and efficient way.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][vc_column_text]Don’t rely on body weight to be honest to you. Check your body composition and make sure your body fat % is where you would like it to be.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent”][/vc_column][/vc_row]