Body Fat Calculator

FAQs about Body Fat

1. What is the role of body fat in the body?

Body fat, or adipose tissue, is an important source of stored energy. It contains not only fat cells but also nerve and immune cells and connective tissue. Fat serves several important functions in our body:

• Energy Storage: Fat is a dense source of energy, providing about 9 calories per gram.
• Protection of Organs: Fat helps to cushion and protect vital organs in the body and acts as a shock absorber.
• Temperature Regulation: Fat plays a crucial role in maintaining body temperature by providing insulation.
• Vitamin Absorption: Dietary fats are necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) in the intestine.
• Cell Structure: Fats are a component of cell membranes, helping to maintain the structure and function of cells.

2. Where is body fat located or found in the body?

Body fat is located in two main areas: subcutaneous (underneath the skin) and visceral (around abdominal organs).
Subcutaneous fat cushions bones and joints, while visceral fat cushions organs but is also linked with higher risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, and may promote insulin resistance.

3. What are the different types of body fat?

Body fat includes brown, white, beige, and pink fat (7^✔ ✔Trusted Source
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4. What is the function of Brown fat?

Brown fat, abundant in infants, generates heat and is stimulated by cold.

5. What is the function of white fat?

White fat is designed for fat storage, accumulating in areas like the belly and thighs.

6. What is beige fat?

Beige fat can generate heat similar to brown fat.

7. What is of Pink fat?

Pink fat is associated with pregnancy and lactation.

8. Why is central obesity responsible for type 2 diabetes?

Fat tissue releases hormones that control metabolism and appetite and affect insulin sensitivity. Fat cells can grow in size and number, and larger fat cells become resistant to insulin, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

9. How can I reduce belly fat?

To reduce belly fat, a long-term commitment to exercise and balanced diet is essential. It is important to avoid sugary drinks and managing lifestyle factors like stress levels and sleep quality.
Exercises like sit-ups, crunches and use of Kettlebell weights can effectively reduce belly fat.

10. What are the limitation of using BMI for calculating body fat?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is popularly used tool for estimating excess body fat or obesity, based on a ratio of weight to height.
However, BMI can't measure the location of fat, muscle mass, or bone mass. It may vary with age, sex, race, and ethnicity, and doesn't always accurately predict health risks related to weight.

11. What are the methods to measure body fat?

In addition to BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio are used to assess body fat and health risks. Waist circumference is a predictor of disease risk and early mortality, particularly focusing on visceral fat. Waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio offer additional insights into body fat distribution and associated health risks

12. What will be the Cost of Obesity to Global Economy?

On current trends, overweight and obesity will cost the global economy over US$4 trillion of potential income by 2035, nearly 3% of current global gross domestic product (GDP)