body composition testing: what is it and why is it relevant to your fitness and health?

What if you could learn how healthy and balanced your body is, in a matter of minutes? Inbody Body Composition scans do just that, and we are thrilled to bring this level of testing to Longevity. Body composition uses three key markers to drive individualized data: muscle mass, percentage fat and total body water. A deep analysis of these factors can not only provide a snapshot of one’s overall health, but also identify imbalances and areas for improvement that can be accurately tracked overtime. 

Body Mass Index (BMI) vs. Body Composition
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a general indicator of healthy or unhealthy weight, calculated by dividing a person’s weight (in kilograms) by the square of their height (in meters). 

BMI Weight Status

• Below 18.5 - Underweight
• 18.5 to 24.9 - Normal
• 25.0 to 29.9 - Overweight
• 30.0 and above - Obese

While high BMI is associated with unhealthy weight from excess body fat, a very low BMI can also come with its own set of health problems, such as low immunity, increased bone loss and anemia. High BMI can also be misleading for a person who may have a ‘heavier’ weight due to lean muscle mass, but is actually very fit. 

BMI is a widely used method, but also a limited method when compared to body composition testing. It is not an accurate tracking tool for fluctuations in weight as there is no way to confirm whether the change in weight is from fat or muscle. Conventional scales or BMI cannot determine how much of your weight loss is fat, muscle, or body water, but body composition can.

THREE MAIN AREAS OF BODY TESTING

Skeletal Muscle Mass can be associated with our mobility, balance, strength, posture and longevity. A body composition analysis will indicate how much Skeletal Muscle Mass we have in each body segment (arms, legs and trunk) and easily identify any imbalances. 

Note that a pound of muscle tissue has much less surface area than a pound of fat tissue, as fat tissue is less dense than muscle tissue. Someone that shares the same weight, height and gender as you will have an entirely different body composition based on muscle and fat mass. Understanding your body composition can give you a leg up on improving your metabolism and working toward weight loss. Those with a leaner body/higher muscle mass end up burning more calories at rest. 

From age 30 and on, we gradually begin to lose muscle mass. This age-related muscle loss is known as sarcopenia, resulting in 3 to 5 percent of muscle loss per decade. Low skeletal mass expedities this process, and in turn, reduces physical ability while increasing risk of injury.

Percent Body Fat tells you exactly how much fat makes up your total body weight. A healthy body fat level for men ranges from 10-20% and 18-28% for women.  

Total Body Water (TBW) is composed of two types: extracellular water (ECW), the water outside your cells, and intracellular water (ICW), the water within your cells. Extracellular water is responsible for controlling the movement of electrolytes, delivering oxygen to cells and clearing metabolic waste. Intracellular water then continues the pathway, transporting the remaining molecules to various organelles within the cells.

Testing your body’s water retention can determine whether you are dehydrated or drinking a sufficient amount of water. A healthy ratio is estimated at 3:2, intracellular:extracellular. Either type of fluid can bring unbalance, resulting in an unhealthy distribution of water. Excess extracellular water could mean inflammation, kidney disease/failure, or obesity. Alternatively, excess intracellular water is often accompanied by high lean body mass, including benefits of increased energy use, strength and immunity.

Benefits of Body Testing Using Inbody

• It is 98% as accurate as a DEXA (Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan, without any of the radiation
• It is quick and invasive
• Identifies imbalances in the body 
• Determines how your body uses energy and where water is collected 
• Accurately tracks data for optimal progress and results​

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When it comes to your fitness and health, having adequate knowledge about your unique body can make all the difference. A one-size-fits-all approach is certainly a good jumping-off point for a consistent and positive lifestyle, but an individualized approach will help you go further and allow you to feel your best on your journey to longevity. Curious about body composition testing and interested in implementing this with your trainer? Email us at lfc@longevityfitnesscharleston.com for priority scheduling. ​