Body composition refers to the proportion of fat and non-fat mass in your body. It gives a better understanding of your overall health than weight alone because it takes into account the different types of tissues present.
When we talk about body composition, we primarily think of two categories: fat mass and lean mass. Fat mass includes all the fat in your body, including essential fat that your body needs for various functions, and storage fat that can be found around your organs or under your skin. Lean mass, on the other hand, encompasses the muscles, bones, water, and organs in your body.
Understanding body composition is crucial for assessing fitness levels, setting health goals, and developing effective workout and nutrition plans. For instance, two individuals may weigh the same but have very different body compositions. One might have a higher percentage of body fat, while the other has more muscle mass, which can lead to different health outcomes.
In summary, body composition is best described as the measurement of the different components that make up your body, which is essential for understanding your health status and fitness level.