Body Composition / BMI

Question 1

Body Composition is a combination of fat mass and lean body mass. Define these two terms

Answer 1

Fat mass : The percentage of body weight that is stored as fat

Lean body mass : The weight of the rest of the body (eg, bones/organs/connective tissues

Question 2

Explain how Hydrostatic weighing can be used to calculate a persons fat mass percentage

Answer 2

Weigh out of the water
Weighed while totally immersed in water
The difference is the fat mass percentage (as fat is less dense and floats)

Trapped air in lungs / water density may need to be taken into account

Question 3

Explain how Bioelectrical impendance can be used to calculate a persons body fat percentage

Answer 3

An electrical current is passed through the body
The current passes through muscle tissue fluid easily, but cannot pass through fat tissue easily
The persons height + weight is then used, so that the body fat scales used can calculate their body fat percentage

Question 4

Explain how Skin Fold Calipers work

Answer 4

They are used to measure (in mm) the amount of subcutaneous fat on one side of the body
Done on the tricep / bicep / subscapula / suprailiac
Sum of these sites are then used to calculate the percentage of body fat

Question 5

What is the formula used to calculate BMI (body mass index)?

Answer 5

Weight / (height)^2

Question 6

What does BMI do? And what are the values for the different catagories of weight?

Answer 6

A measure of an adults weight in relation to their height

Question 7

What is RMR and BMR, and when are they taken?

Answer 7

RMR (resting metabolic rate) - At rest

BMR (Basal metabolic rate) - Directly after 8hr sleep

Question 8

What does RMR represent?

Answer 8

The amount of calories you need to consume to sustain your bodies energy requirments at rest

Question 9

What is a MET?

Answer 9

Metabolic equivalent task

Is a way of of expressing energy cost (1 met = resting VO2)

Question 10

What is the % of Proteins / fats / carbohydrates that you need in your diet?

Answer 10

Proteins = 30%
Fats = 15%
Carbohydrates = 55%

Question 11

State some of the health implications of being obese

Answer 11

Cornory Heart Disease (CHD)
Type 2 diabeties
Increased risk of cancer
Increased Blood Pressure
Overload of joints (less stability)
Psychological harm (embarssement)
Restricts performance