Body composition is the fifth and final major component of health-related fitness that we have been reviewing. The other components are cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility.
Examining the composition of the body has many potential analogies to our Christian faith.
As we review the components of the physical body, we can reflect on the purpose and nature of the components of the spiritual body as well.
The body is composed of at least 200 bones and more than 600 muscles. In addition, fat, cartilage, tendons and water make up the majority of the rest of the body.
But is it essential to know exactly how many bones and muscles you have in your body?
Not necessarily; it is more important for you to know a broader picture of what you are made of.
From a general health perspective, it is more important to know how much of your body is lean muscle and what percent of your body is fat.
A high percentage of fat has regularly been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and other diseases.
For many individuals, increased amounts of body fat are a result of eating too much food and not getting enough exercise. Thus, these individuals may not be following one of the clear admonitions from Paul, who reminds us that we must “discipline [our] body[bodies] and bring [them] in to subjection” (1 Cor. 9:27).
Fat mass can be measured in several ways including hydrostatic weighing, skin fold assessments and bioelectrical impedance.
The importance of measuring fat mass is clear as one’s risk for disease increases as the amount of fat in a body increases.
Lean muscle mass is important for regulating your metabolism, thus the more lean muscle mass you have, typically, the higher your metabolic rate.
Assessing body fat
Ideal amounts of body fat range between 10–20 percent for men and 15–25 percent for women.
Noting that many people do not have access to the tools needed to accurately measure percent of body fat, it may be difficult to measure this on your own. However, most exercise science academic units at local colleges and universities will have access to this type of equipment, as well as most, if not all, local fitness centers.
Be sure that the individual taking your assessment is knowledgeable about body composition and has had some formal training in the area of exercise science.
Knowing your percentage of body fat is important. If your percent is too high, then there are some simple ways to begin reducing your percent body fat.
Endurance exercises of long duration will help to burn off the extra fat and strength training exercises will help to add muscle to your system.
In addition, reducing the number of total calories consumed and being aware of the amount of fat you take in will help in reducing the percentage of your body fat.
Note that reducing the percentage of body fat is something that takes a long time. Remember that the extra fat on the body did not get there overnight — it took a long time to put it on, so it will take some time to take it off.
The importance of body composition and the need for knowing your own body composition is clear.
Remember that the believer’s body is the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.
Do you treat your body as a sanctuary for God? Be sure to find out what you are made of, because, remember, your body belongs to the Lord.
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