Why You Need to Pay Attention to Body Composition
By Nancy A. Palermo, MD Recent research continues to highlight the importance of strength training for health and longevity. As we learn more about the role of muscle in metabolic health and chronic disease prevention, it becomes clear that building and maintaining muscle should be a key part of any wellness plan. However, as we build muscle, we can no longer rely solely on the scale to measure progress. The weight we have been striving for may be far less meaningful than our overall body composition. What Is Body Composition? Body composition refers to the percentages of fat mass and lean mass that make up your total body weight. Fat mass includes: Subcutaneous fat (the fat beneath your skin) Visceral fat (the fat surrounding your organs) Lean mass includes: Skeletal muscle ...
