By pH health care professionals

It is often assumed that a skinny person is healthy and that a heavier person is unhealthy. But simply looking at the outside doesn’t tell you enough. For example, a thin female who loves yoga and never seems to gain weight may look like the picture of health to some, but a body composition assessment might show that she carries a lot more fat than she should and not enough muscle. Likewise, a heavyset football player may be strong and muscular, but have a high body fat percentage that’s putting his health at risk. You could have a high body fat percentage whether you’re 100 lbs. or 300 lbs.

A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlights the importance of monitoring body fat percentage and keeping it within a healthy range.  The study found that high body fat percentage is associated with increased mortality. 

How do you measure body fat percentage?

There are various tools that are used to measure body fat percentage. We recommend using the InBody, a state-of-the-art body composition analyzer that is widely regarded as the most accurate and precise. The InBody provides a detailed report that shows how much fat, muscle and water your body has, and provides recommendations for how many pounds of fat you need to lose or gain (as well as muscle). Get more in-depth information about this test in the video here.

Another way you can monitor your body fat is by routinely measuring your waist circumference. If you have too much fat around your waist, you’re more at risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says. The risk is higher among women with a waist size greater than 35 inches and men with a waist size greater than 40 inches.

Be proactive

Keep your body fat in check by exercising regularly, eating a well-balanced nutritious diet, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding stress (as much as possible). Living a healthy lifestyle is sometimes easier said than done, so enlist the help of experts, like our fun-loving personal trainers, knowledgeable medical doctors, patient advocates, and holistic nutritionists at Proactive Health Labs.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. To learn more about the pH Health Care Team, click here.