How does body fat affect health?

 

Body fat plays an important role in overall health. However, its impact on health depends on the amount, location, and type of body fat. Excess body fat, especially visceral fat (fat stored around internal organs), is associated with several health risks.

• Cardiovascular disease: Excess body fat can lead to high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Type 2 diabetes: Obesity, especially around the abdomen, is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
• Increased body fat leads to symptoms such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels. The body makes an additional effort, and the supply of oxygen is more difficult due to the larger surface area.
• Excess body fat makes breathing difficult and can lead to sleep apnea, etc., and other breathing problems. You see at every step that people who have an increased body weight breathe with a slightly greater or prolonged effort.
• Excess weight puts extra pressure on the joints, leading to conditions such as osteoarthritis.

That is why it is known that the most suitable sport for muscles, joints, heart, lungs, etc. is swimming. In the water, you don't put the pressure of your body weight on your joints.

• Obesity can impact mental health, contributing to conditions such as depression and low self-esteem.

It is known that depression, anxiety, and mental disorders can be generated by an increased body weight.

• Liver disease: A buildup of fat in the liver (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is linked to obesity and can lead to liver problems.

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   What is the percentage of body fat considered healthy?

 

A healthy body fat percentage varies based on factors such as age, gender, and individual goals.

• For men, the healthy range is usually considered to be between 6% and 24% body fat. The lower limit is generally found in athletes and the upper limit in ordinary people.

HOW IS IT CALCULATED? BMI 

• For women, a healthy range is generally between 16% and 30% body fat, with the limits mentioned above. It's important to note that body fat distribution matters too, with a greater focus on reducing visceral fat around the abdominal area for overall health.

1. What are the different types of abdominal fat?

There are two main types of abdominal fat:

• Subcutaneous fat: This is the fat located just under the skin and above the abdominal muscles. Although excess subcutaneous fat can affect appearance, it is generally less harmful to health than visceral fat. Within accepted limits, this fat is essential for a normal life.
• Visceral fat: This type of fat is stored deep in the abdominal cavity, around vital organs such as the heart, liver, pancreas, and intestines.

High levels of visceral fat pose an increased risk of health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. To get rid of belly fat, it is important to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.

 

 

 

 

What is the normal percentage of body fat according to Harvard Medical?

 

There is no agreed-upon normal range for body fat, just as there is no ideal body weight.

 

According to the World Health Organization, men aged 40 to 59 should aim for 11% to 21% body fat, while for men aged 60 to 79, the range is 13% to 24%. However, the "correct" weight and body fat percentage for an individual depends on several factors, such as the following: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/what-is-considered-a- healthy-body-fat-percentage-as-you-age

 

What is the benefit of body fat?

Body fat within appropriate limits is of major importance for the proper functioning of the body. Before you make the decision to lose every last gram of fat, let's see six advantages of body fat:

A- Body fat helps protect internal organs.

B - Body fat is the main energy store; our body uses body fat whenever it does not have enough energy from food.

This means that when you do sports or prolonged activity, the body's energy is depleted, at which point the body consumes from the body's fat stores. Another situation is that when you are sick and do not have the opportunity to eat normally, the body uses the energy taken from the accumulated fat.

C. Dipose tissue is important for hormonal regulation.

D- Body fat helps regulate temperature. It functions as a cushion between the body and the environment.

Adipose tissue has an important role in immune function.

F- Fat is a form of skin protection against aging.