EXPLAINED: FIVE TYPES OF BODY FAT, BODY FAT PERCENTAGE AND ITS BENEFITS

The body fat percentage (BFP) of a human being or other living being is the total mass of fat divided by total body mass, multiplied by 100; body fat includes essential body fat and storage body fat. Essential is necessary to maintain life and reproductive functions. (Wikipedia)

WHAT PRODUCES BODY FAT?

Body fat is created by both stress and the consumption of foods. Stress causes the hormone cortisol to be released and that in turn increases the visceral fat ratio in our bodies. This type of fat is most often found around our bellies, arms, legs, and other body parts and is responsible for obesity.

Our bodies are very good at capturing and storing fat. This means that the fat cells that aren’t used for regulating various bodily functions will quickly become excess visceral fat. 

There are many different kinds of foods whose consumption can lead to excess body fat. Trans fats are one of the unhealthiest fats and are found in processed and fried foods. Meals and drinks (e.g., sodas) that contain high levels of sugars can also cause rapid weight gain.

The main types of fat cells are white, brown, and beige cells. They can be stored as essential, subcutaneous, or visceral fat.

Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are fatty acids that humans and other animals must ingest because the body requires them for good health but cannot synthesize them.

Each type of fat serves a different role. Some promote healthy metabolism and hormone levels, while others contribute to life-threatening diseases.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BODY FAT

Brown

Brown fat is a type of fat primarily found in babies, although adults do still retain a very small amount of brown fat, typically in the neck and shoulders.

This type of fat burns fatty acids to keep you warm. Researchers are interested in finding ways to stimulate the activity of brown fat to help prevent obesity.

Essential fats

As mentioned above, essential fat is good fat. It helps maintain proper body temperature, cell structure and protects our internal organs from harm. Essential fat cannot be lost without a detrimental effect to our health. For example, healthy women need around 10 to 13 percent of their total body weight to be comprised of essential fats.

White

White fat is the type of fat that most people immediately think of.

It’s made up of large, white cells that are stored under the skin or around the organs in the belly, arms, buttocks, and thighs. These fat cells are the body’s way of storing energy for later use.

This type of fat also plays a large role in the function of hormones such as:

• estrogen
• leptin (one of the hormones that stimulates hunger)
• insulin
• cortisol (a stress hormone)
• growth hormone

While some white fat is necessary for good health, too much white fat is very harmful. Healthy body fat percentages range depending on your level of fitness or physical activity.

Subcutaneous fat 

This layer of fat is found right underneath our skin and makes up around 90% of the fat found in our bodies. Subcutaneous body fat is most often used to measure body fat levels utilizing a skin-fold test.

Subcutaneous Fat
Also known as a “soft fat,” subcutaneous fat is the fat that is typically used to measure a person’s body mass index (BMI). Given its location under the skin and outside of the abdominal cavity, this is often the fat we see around the waist, thighs, hips and buttocks when we look in the mirror.

Unlike visceral fat, subcutaneous fat can actually provide some health benefits, according to a 2015 study published in Cardiovascular Diabetology. The study found that a buildup of this soft fat directly corresponded with a decreased risk of buildup of cholesterol and fat inside artery walls. This type of fat is also associated with a decreased risk of calcium buildup inside the coronary artery.

Beige (brite)

Beige (or brite) fat is a relatively new area of research. These fat cells function somewhere between brown and white fat cells. Similarly to brown fat, beige cells can help burn fat rather than store it.

What Is a Healthy Body Fat Percentage?

The word “fat” has been misrepresented throughout our society as the enemy of good health and nutrition. But the truth is that the human body needs fat. Fat helps process nutrients in the food we eat and it even helps keep us warm. But how much fat is the right amount?

A healthy body fat percentage depends on several factors, and it isn’t the same for each person. Instead, ranges have been established for how men and women at various ages and levels of fitness should be measured.

Conclusion

When it comes to body fat, there are good types and not-so-good types. Far too many people think all fat is bad – and this can cause severe health problems when they try to lose weight. By understanding which body fats are essential to good health and which aren’t, we can remain healthy while we lose weight.