Fat Is Not All About Obesity
By Tom Herrin
For many of us, the thought of any kind of fat in the body reminds us of being overweight. Some body fat does make us think of such. We imagine tight-fitting clothes and a general increase in what we see on the scales. We may envision someone who seems to have poor control of their muscles and appears to have little ability to fit into their clothes neatly. Some body fat certainly can provide this look, but not all fat is related to obesity. Some of it may actually serve a useful purpose.
When Fat Is Bad, It May Be Real Bad
In particular, belly fat can be serious. This is a type of body fat that has received lots of attention in recent years. Researchers have come to realize that it may be more than just fat. This visceral fat can be related to many health issues. It may contribute largely to strokes. It may also have an association to heart disease, arterial disease, some types of diabetes, and some kinds of cancers. It has been known to cause complications with some pregnancies. The wrong kind of fat may interfere with organ function.
Some Fat Is Necessary
There are times in which we need fat. Since there are actually different kinds of fat, they are not all alike, and they do not all have the same purpose. The brain needs some fat in order to function at its best. Fat may also help to protect some of the internal organs. It has a place with nerves as well as the bone marrow. It is even known to help the metabolism. If we exclude all fat, we would be pretty unhealthy.
Knowing Our Body Fat May Be Helpful
As we have made advances in so many other things, we have learned more about body fat, too. Simple ways have been developed for use in assessing the amount of body fat anyone has. This information may be useful when we are attempting to tune up our bodies. Using the body mass index, or BMI scale, is pretty simple. It is usually based on age, weight, height, and frame size. Some places have some higher-tech equipment that may be used to obtain a more specific assessment. This may allow us to have a much better idea how to establish our goals for exercise and weight loss.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Elk Grove, Calif.