5 Questions Everyone Has About Body Fat

As more people join the weight loss bandwagon, more questions concerning fat are coming up. Understanding all there is to know about fat may be the key to lowering your weight and managing it at healthy levels. The first place to start would be evaluating your current fat-related issues. Observe yourself and your surroundings, demystify the fat involved, and learn which kinds of fats to get rid of, which ones to consume, and which ones to avoid in the future.

1. What is the Purpose of Body Fat?

A common misconception about body fat is that it is unhealthy and that all of it should be shed off. However, fat is just as important as any other part of the body. Without the fat under your skin, your body would have a lot of trouble keeping warm. Besides insulating your body, body fat also controls its immune functions. The fat around our organs is vital, as it protects our organs by acting as an energy reserve. Body fat is also known to aid in the absorption of certain vitamins in the body. However, it is important to note that body fat is only helpful if regulated and in the correct quantities.

2. How Do I Measure My Body Fat Percentage?

Everyone is structured differently, hence our varying body fat percentages. This means that the ideal body fat percentage for your friend or even your sibling may not be the ideal percentage for you. The correct amount of acceptable fat in everyone depends on several factors: occupation, gender, age, and lifestyle. The acceptable body fat in a construction worker certainly does not match that of an office clerk. The same case applies for a yoga instructor and a body builder. You can use body fat clippers to measure your body fat percentage. Pinch flesh on your waist and use a clipper to determine your percentage. You can also use body fat scales and monitors, whereby an electrical current is sent through your body. Bio-electrical impedance is used to determine your percentage. Other methods that you can use include the bod pod, water displacement, and DEXA scanning.

3. How Do I Get Rid of Stubborn Belly Fat?

The best way to eliminate stubborn belly fat is through healthy eating and performing appropriate exercises. Certain foods expand the waist line by increasing fat deposits in that area. These include white bread and sugar dense foods. On the other hand, foods high in fiber aid in digestion, which may ultimately trim down your waistline. Exercises, such as crunches, planks, and leg lifts, are effective in burning off belly fat and strengthening the core muscles. More muscles equals faster metabolism.

4. How Many Calories Are in a Gram of Fat

Scientific studies prove that there are 9 calories in a gram of fat. This will help you count your daily calorie intake for better weight management. On the other hand, a pound of fat is the equivalent of 3500 calories.

5. What is Brown Fat?

There are two main types of fat in the body: brown fat and white fat. Brown fat is commonly called “baby fat.” White fat is the ordinary body fat that produces hormones and insulates the body. Brown fat is vital for babies who are not yet able to shiver, as it produces body heat. Every infant is born with about 5 percent brown fat/baby fat on their chest, neck, and shoulders.

Just because we use the term “fat” to denote obesity and the state of being overweight, that doesn’t mean body fat is entirely bad for you. If maintained in healthy proportions, it can be effective in keeping you healthy and warm. Doctors even use body fat in cosmetic surgery, for instance, lipo laser body sculpting and body reconstruction after an accident.

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