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

Nutrition and Body Composition - Essay Example entire consistence composition comprises both fat-free body surge (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 sideline in terms of sports and exercise, obesity assessment and control of body weight. Of specific importance is the need to systematically ensure that total body fat is maintained at an optimal level (Heyward & Stolarczyk, 19964). 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 in the end result in a serious physiological dysfunction (Heyward & Stolarczyk, 19965-6).Through different body tightfistedness measurements, which utilise establi shed 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, 19968). 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 thither is either relative increase in the body muscle mass (during training) or relative departure of the prevailing bone density as found in individuals suffering from osteoporosis (Heyward & Stolarczyk, 19969).A variety of avenues are available done which effective body composition can be measured. This is especially in demand 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