 |
Tags: health, wellness, obesity, body fat
 When one says “body fat”, what would initially come into mind is a feeling of dislike to the point of repugnance. After all, isn’t the health and cosmetic issue of obesity exclusively associated to that abominable body fat? Body fat is apparently unsightly, much more so if it is located in areas such as the belly, the hips and the thighs.
Worse if one’s whole body is covered with. However, body fat referred to here is storage fat, and such is what almost everybody detests. But other than storage fat, there is another sort called essential body fat. With the latter case, the key word is “essential”, which means the body needs it.
advertisement
This sort of body fat in itself is not dangerous. In fact, in healthy amounts, the body does need fat. Fat is needed by the body to cushion and protect the internal organs. It also helps in the absorption of vitamins such as vitamins A, D and E. Fat helps promote normal growth and development.
Women need more of it for their reproductive system to function efficiently. Some amount of body heat is generated by fat and fat as well provides energy. The American Council on Exercise outlined a basis as to what extent the percentage of body fat is healthy and as to which amounts lead to obesity.
For females, essential fat ratio ranges from ten to twelve percent. For males, the ratio appears to be lower- two to four percent. As for acceptable levels of body fat, it is 18-25% among men and 25-31% among women respectively. When it comes to body fat ratio and percentage however, age may also be a determining factor.
For instance, older women need higher amounts of fat than their younger counterparts. As for essential fat in the body, it generally means fat which is found in the organs, the muscles and the bone marrow. Essential fat is necessary for the body’s proper functioning. It may come as a wonder why women need more fat.
This is mainly due to the female physical make-up as the female breasts, hips and thighs are composed of fat. As for storage body fat, it is the sort which provides energy and is kept by the body as a reserve. Storage fat is that which can and does lead to obesity.
Storage fat is also referred to as subcutaneous fat as it is stored under the skin. Often, storage fat accumulates in susceptible areas such as the waist, the buttocks, the hips and the thighs. Body fat storage is also dependent on gender. Hormones such as testosterone among males and estrogen among females determine in which part of the body fat is deposited.
Why do some people have more body fat than others? For one thing, there are those genetically predisposed to have high amounts of fat. For a majority however, the amount of storage fat in the body is determined by their food intake, level of activity and lifestyle. For most, body fat percentage is directly related to fat, sugar and carbohydrate intake and activity levels.
Visit our Avatrim Store for a boosted metabolism and healthy weight loss.
About the author
The author of this article Rose Windale is a Health and Wellness Coach who has been successful with several natural health programs for many years. Rose recently published a step-by-step guide on how to lose weight the EASY way and become totally healthy and happy. More info on her life-changing eating habits plan HERE.
Share this article
You may reprint this article in its entirety on your web site, newsletter or ezine, providing you leave the About the author sections intact. You may not alter the contents.
|
|
