Whether you are overweight or of normal body weight you should be aware of the impact body composition has on your health! Even if your scale weight is within a normal range, you can still have unhealthy or altered body composition.
What is unhealthy body composition? Generally speaking, it refers to carrying too much or excess body fat in comparison to your lean muscle mass. As your body fat-to-lean ratio increases, so does your health risks. In fact, more often than not an unhealthy body composition can lead to obesity (I commonly define as 8 kg or more overweight from your ideal body weight) a condition associated with many critical health concerns, including some of the following:
Heart disease
Stroke
High blood pressure
High Cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes
Certain forms of cancer
Excess fatigue
Some Factors that Contribute to Unhealthy Body Composition:
A high-fat, high-sugar diet
Lack of exercise
Overeating
Excess alcohol intake
Did you know?
More than 58% of the S.A adult population is overweight, with over 25% considered obese.
Almost 30% S.A. children and teens aged 6 to 19 years old are categorized as overweight.
Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.
In South Africa, approximately 47% of those who are overweight and 71% of those who are obese have high blood pressure.
Half of all overweight and obese South African adults have cholesterol levels higher than they should (greater than 200 mg/dl).
Approximately 25% to 33% of South Africans have insulin resistance, which left unchecked, may develop in to type 2 diabetes. About 70% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
According to the National Institute of Health the following are considered to be benefits of a Healthy Body Composition:
Increase energy and endurance.
Promote healthy blood pressure.
Improve quality of sleep.
Relieve some strain placed on your knees, hips, and lower back which can lead to reduced pain.
Improve mood and self confidence.
Reduce the risk of certain pregnancy related complications.
Improve blood circulation in all parts of the body, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Reduce respiratory infections and breathlessness, and improve lung function.
Improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.
The Bottom Line is a healthy body composition can not only improves your general health but it can also change your whole quality of life for the better!
Health Risks Associated With Too Much Body Fat Include The Following:
Increased blood pressure
Increased total cholesterol level
Increased LDL (bad) cholesterol
Increased risk of cardiac problems
Increased risk of Diabetes
Hardening of the arteries
Aggravation of osteoarthritis
Promotes blood clots and varicose veins
GI disorders
Increased predisposition to some cancers
Decreased reaction time
Reduced balance and coordination
Increased susceptibility to infections
Decreased circulation
Delayed wound healing