Here's What You Can Learn From a Body Composition Analysis

Did you know that around half of all American adults try to lose weight each year, but almost three-quarters remain overweight? The number your scale reports is only one measurement to better understand your health and boost your chances of shedding unnecessary fat.  

At Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers Pompano Beach in South Florida, our specialists also analyze your body composition as part of our personalized weight loss counseling so you have a clearer picture of your weight and health. This helps us create tailored guidance and personalized steps you can take to improve it. 

A body composition analysis helps you reach your weight-loss goals faster by shedding excess fat while maintaining and increasing calorie-burning muscle mass. Keep reading to learn more about this important tool and what you can learn from your body composition analysis.   

Body composition vs. BMI

Body mass index (BMI) is an essential health tool. It refers to the number calculated using height and weight, with a normal BMI falling between 18.5 and 24.9. A BMI of 25-29.9 is considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or greater is categorized as obese. 

The BMI scale has its uses, but because it doesn’t consider the many factors that affect your health, such as fat mass, muscle mass, age, gender, bone structure, etc., it has limitations.

Alternatively, body composition takes into account the percentage of muscle, fat, bone, and fluids in your body, offering a clearer picture of your overall health — beyond your weight in pounds.

How body composition analysis works

Getting a body composition analysis is straightforward. All you need to do is step onto our specialized scale. It scientifically measures your fat mass, fluids, and lean (muscle and bone) mass. 

Our team reviews the results of your analysis with you. Keep in mind that factors outside your control can affect your body composition, including factors like:

• Age
• Genetics
• Body type
• Gender
• Hormone levels

Our specialists can answer questions and help you better understand your body composition.  

What you’ll learn from a body composition analysis

Body composition analysis provides your body fat percentage. Everyone requires some body fat for healthy functioning. And generally, having more muscle mass and less fat is better for your health. 

Many factors determine the body fat percentage that’s best for you and your goals. These include your fitness level, lifestyle choices, age, and more. 

While everyone is different, health guidelines suggest that women aim for a body fat percentage between 14-31%, while men aim for 8-24%.  

We focus on body fat percentage because this number reveals much about your overall health. A higher-than-normal body fat percentage is linked to serious health conditions, regardless of BMI, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Hypertension
• Stroke

Your body composition analysis reveals other information that plays a role in your health and weight-loss journey, including the following:

• Basal metabolic rate: the estimate of your daily calorie requirements when at rest
• Location of body fat: where your body fat is concentrated
• Location of muscle mass: where your muscle mass is concentrated
• Lean mass percentage: what percentage of your body is lean mass
• Fluid percentage: what percentage of your body is composed of fluids

This information offers a complete picture of your general health. It helps our team develop your personalized target weight, tailored nutrition and diet plan, and more effective weight-loss coaching. 

Reaching your weight-loss goals

At Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers Pompano Beach, we know that everybody is different. That’s why we approach weight loss using a personalized approach. 

Our team members use the results of your body composition analysis, medical history, and personal preferences to create a personalized weight-loss plan for achieving your goals. 

We offer six accelerated weight-loss plans created to help you lose 2-4 pounds — or more! — every week. Our plans include counseling two times a week and weigh-ins to help keep you on track. Plans may include:

• Weight-loss medications
• Structured diets and menus
• Personalized food guidance
• Meal planning
• Meal replacement
• Fat burning injections
• Well injections
• Exercise and fitness help

Throughout your program, your repeated body composition analyses help measure your progress. For example, you may not show weight loss when stepping on your bathroom scale. Still, your body composition may indicate that you’ve lost excess fat while gaining lean muscle.

Learn more about how a body composition analysis can help you achieve your weight-loss goals by scheduling a consultation online or over the phone at Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers Pompano Beach in South Florida.