Nutrition and Body Composition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Nutrition and Body Composition - Essay Example Whole body composition comprises both fat-free body mass (FFM) and total body fat. The former is inclusive of water, bone matter and muscle and the latter pertains to essential fat and storage (stored) fat. Accordingly, Heyward and Stolarczyk (1996) assert that whole-body composition is of interest in terms of sports and exercise, obesity assessment and control of body weight. Of specific importance is the need to consistently ensure that total body fat is maintained at an optimal level (Heyward & Stolarczyk, 1996:4). The total body fat element is critical to optimal human physiological capacity. Thus, too little fatness, as is witnessed in individuals with eating disorders and exercise addiction as well as those with certain diseases, e.g. cystic fibrosis, can eventually result in a serious physiological dysfunction (Heyward & Stolarczyk, 1996:5-6). Through different body density measurements, which utilise established equations and corrections, one is able to calculate the ratio of fat-free mass to fat mass in a human body. This is based upon the ‘much lower density’ of the prevailing fat compartment in terms of their ratio (Heyward & Stolarczyk, 1996:8). However, concerning FFM, the bone matter is denser than the muscle structure. This may lead to the over-estimation of the fat percentage present. This is if there is either relative increase in the body muscle mass (during training) or relative loss of the prevailing bone density as found in individuals suffering from osteoporosis (Heyward & Stolarczyk, 1996:9). A variety of avenues are available through which effective body composition can be measured. This is especially in regard to the ‘approximate’ measurement of body fat percentage present. The most commonly employed method is through use of gun calipers, in measuring the subcutaneous fat thickness at various places on the body. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), on