Introduction to Body Composition

"BMI measures body fat." Which choice best classifies this statement?

• Myth—BMI estimates weight status using height and weight, not direct fat measurement

• Fact—BMI directly measures the amount of fat under the skin

• Fact—BMI precisely separates fat mass from muscle mass

• Myth—BMI is only calculated from body fat percentage

"Two people can weigh the same but have different body compositions." How should this statement be classified?

• Myth—same weight always means same body composition

• Fact—weight can be equal while fat and fat-free mass differ

• Myth—body composition only varies with age, not between people of equal weight

• Fact—equal weight guarantees identical fat-free mass

"Healthy weight looks the same on everyone." Choose the best classification.

• Fact—healthy weight has a single appearance across all bodies

• Myth—healthy weight can look different due to varying body composition

• Fact—healthy weight equals the same BMI category for every person

• Myth—appearance of health is identical regardless of muscle or bone mass

Which option best defines body composition as introduced in this section?

• The ratio of fat mass to fat-free mass

• The total body weight divided by height squared

• The proportion of water to muscle in the body

• The percentage of bone mineral content compared to body weight

What is fat-free mass?

• Stored body fat

• Adipose tissue only

• Bones, muscles, and organs

• Visceral fat around the abdomen

Which method is specifically designed to estimate body fat by measuring the thickness of subcutaneous folds at several sites using calipers?

• BMI

• Skinfold measurement

• Progress pictures

• BIA

Which method determines body composition by comparing body weight in air versus underwater to estimate density.

• Hydrostatic weighing

• DEXA

• Body circumference measurements

• Bod Pod

Which option best describes a key limitation of BMI when used as the sole indicator of body composition?

• It directly measures body fat percent at multiple sites

• It cannot distinguish between fat mass and lean muscle mass

• It requires underwater testing that many people cannot access

• It uses expensive imaging technology not available in schools

A student tracks changes over time by taking consistent photos under the same lighting and angles. Which body composition method is this?

• DEXA

• Progress pictures

• Bod Pod

• BIA

Which method uses low-level electrical current to estimate body composition based on resistance through body tissues?

• BIA

• Skinfold measurement

• Hydrostatic weighing

• Body circumference measurements