Facts related to decreasing fat There is a great profit obtained from losing fat. Although losing weight is not effortless, the prolonged outcomes brought in by it would in all likelihood be of assistance to any dieter considering to shake off those unwished and bad pounds. Now there is also scientific research studies demonstrating that rapid cutting the pounds off does not involve an individual is losing undesired extra fat; it is ordinarily water that is gone with succeeding rapid cutting the pounds off practices. This could cause distinct alarm but in actual, water missing is recovered very speedily. So there is in actual zero net fat gone after all. So an individual should not be stupid enough to be so gullible with the campaigning of some weight loss pills out there in the market place; specially those which lay claim to aid lose a great amount of fat in a little time. They will only desiccate the trunk. And precisely so it is plain, the obese body can only lose two pounds of fat per week, one could be incredibly lucky if he can get away with three, but usually, it's simply two.. In addition, women who require to get away with fat fast that omit meals in reality lower their metabolic process. That signifies their body demands fewer calories and binging goes to gaining obesity faster. Therefore, you shouldn't effort to lose weight by weight loss alone. The Way to losing fat…Naturally.The nuts and bolts of eating right maintaining a satisfying fat is not all that complicated. In fact, it is a good bet that most Individuals know pretty well what is best. Hence, reducing fat the regular way should not be a problem in the least.Consequently, a reasonable approach for reducing fat naturally is to stick to a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates, high in fiber, moderate in protein, and low in fat. The main key to reducing weight fast is to create a calorie deficit in the body. We need to look at natural ways to lose fat and find reducing fat guides that teach US how to control our weight by making satisfying food choices and leading an active lifestyle. The best advice I can give any weight loser trying to lose weight is to get rid of the tv and take up a sport. A custom-fit diet not only makes sense, it's also good news for the dieter who couldn't lose fat on this year's fad, or who took off pounds promptly and then gained them back (and more). Since you must burn off a great amount of calories in order to lose pounds, exercise is crucial to long-term fat loss success.melting off pounds simply does not address the long term grounds why we gain fat. decreasing fat only erases the evidence of repeated issues to fat control such as aging, prepared food, metabolic process damage, feeding up behavior and the fact we all spend long periods of time 'out of it' along with respect to fat loss and physical fitness. One may not have to go to the gym or the health spa or any physical fitness center and spend much just to lose weight to obtain that longed for spicy body. There are many courses available in the bookshop which offer fat Loss programs which are favourable and for free, of course the books are not Although. These decreasing weight programs, or diet plans are gaining sizeable popularity with so much publicity, testimonials and followup that one may be confused which exactly to follow. So before choosing which melting off pounds plan to follow, stress reading the sum-up regarding the most favorite diet courses out today.
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Fat client
A fat client or thick client is a computer (client) in client–server architecture or networks which typically provide rich functionality independent of the central server. Originally known as just a 'client' or 'thick client', the name is contrasted to thin client, which describes a computer heavily dependent on a server's applications.
A fat client still requires at least periodic connection to a network or central server, but is often characterised by the ability to perform many functions without that connection. In contrast, a thin client generally does as little processing as possible and relies on accessing the server each time input data needs to be processed or validated.
Introduction
In designing a client–server application, a decision is to be made as to which parts of the task should be executed on the client, and which on the server. This decision can crucially affect the cost of clients and servers, the robustness and security of the application as a whole, and the flexibility of the design to later modification or porting.
The characteristics of the user interface often force the decision on a designer. For instance, a drawing package could choose to download an initial image from a server and allow all edits to be made locally, returning the revised drawing to the server upon completion. This would require a thick client and might be characterised by a long time to start and stop (while a whole complex drawing was transferred.
Conversely, a thin client could download just the visible parts of the drawing at the beginning and send each change back to the server to update the drawing. This might be characterised by a short start-up time, but a tediously slow editing process.
History
The original server clients were simple text display terminals including Wyse VDUs, and thick clients were generally not used until the increase in PC usage. The original driving force for thin client computing was often cost; at a time when CRT terminals and PCs were relatively expensive, the thin-client–server architecture enabled the ability to deploy the desktop computing experience to many users. As PC prices decreased, combined with a drop in software licensing costs, thick client–server architectures became more attractive. For users, the thick client device provided a more-responsive platform and often an improved Graphical User Interface (GUI) than could be achieved in a thin client environment. In more recent years, the Internet has tended to drive the thin client model despite the prodigious processing power that a modern PC has available.
Centrally hosted thick client applications
Probably the thinnest clients (sometimes called 'Ultra Thin') are remote desktop applications, for example the X Window System, Citrix products and Microsoft's Terminal Services, which effectively allow applications to run on a centrally-hosted virtual PC and copy keystrokes and screen images between the local PC and the virtual PC. Ironically, these ultra-thin clients are often used to make available complex or data-hungry applications which have been implemented as thick clients but where the true client is hosted very near to the network server
A fat client still requires at least periodic connection to a network or central server, but is often characterised by the ability to perform many functions without that connection. In contrast, a thin client generally does as little processing as possible and relies on accessing the server each time input data needs to be processed or validated.
Introduction
In designing a client–server application, a decision is to be made as to which parts of the task should be executed on the client, and which on the server. This decision can crucially affect the cost of clients and servers, the robustness and security of the application as a whole, and the flexibility of the design to later modification or porting.
The characteristics of the user interface often force the decision on a designer. For instance, a drawing package could choose to download an initial image from a server and allow all edits to be made locally, returning the revised drawing to the server upon completion. This would require a thick client and might be characterised by a long time to start and stop (while a whole complex drawing was transferred.
Conversely, a thin client could download just the visible parts of the drawing at the beginning and send each change back to the server to update the drawing. This might be characterised by a short start-up time, but a tediously slow editing process.
History
The original server clients were simple text display terminals including Wyse VDUs, and thick clients were generally not used until the increase in PC usage. The original driving force for thin client computing was often cost; at a time when CRT terminals and PCs were relatively expensive, the thin-client–server architecture enabled the ability to deploy the desktop computing experience to many users. As PC prices decreased, combined with a drop in software licensing costs, thick client–server architectures became more attractive. For users, the thick client device provided a more-responsive platform and often an improved Graphical User Interface (GUI) than could be achieved in a thin client environment. In more recent years, the Internet has tended to drive the thin client model despite the prodigious processing power that a modern PC has available.
Centrally hosted thick client applications
Probably the thinnest clients (sometimes called 'Ultra Thin') are remote desktop applications, for example the X Window System, Citrix products and Microsoft's Terminal Services, which effectively allow applications to run on a centrally-hosted virtual PC and copy keystrokes and screen images between the local PC and the virtual PC. Ironically, these ultra-thin clients are often used to make available complex or data-hungry applications which have been implemented as thick clients but where the true client is hosted very near to the network server
UltraShape(R) Non-Invasive Fat Reduction And Body Contouring Clinical Study Results Featured At American Society For Laser Medicine
Results of an independent multi-treatment clinical study of the UltraShape(R) Contour I, the first clinically proven non-invasive solution for fat reduction and body contouring using non-thermal selective focused ultrasound will be presented at the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery annual meeting on April 4, 2008 in Kissimmee, Florida. The presentation is entitled "Lipotripsy: Non-invasive Ultrasonic Selective Destruction of Adipocytes using UltraShape" will take place during the scientific session The Cutting Edge in Optical Diagnostics and Therapeutics of Tissues and Cells.
Hector Leal-Silva, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon based in Monterrey, Mexico, will present the results of the 36 patient clinical study using the UltraShape system on localized fat deposits in the abdomen, flanks, and thighs. The study showed definitive, measurable results in 100 percent of patients including an average of two-inch (5cm) reduction in circumference in the abdomen after a series of three treatments, one month apart. CT scans taken in a subset of study subjects showed objective quantifiable fat thickness reduction. Photographic assessment, weight and circumferential measures were evaluated before and after each treatment and one month after the last treatment. Visual contour improvement was seen in over 85% of patients as assessed by an independent panel of physicians. Ninety-four percent (94%) of patients were satisfied with the procedure. In addition, there were no adverse events reported.
"With the major shift in patient demand toward non-invasive, pain-free, no-downtime procedures UltraShape has become a core procedure offering in my aesthetic practice," said Leal. "My clinical study demonstrated measurable circumference reduction and visual improvement in body contour in all patients. Moreover, my patients are happy with a high percentage of them returning for treatment of other body areas or recommending UltraShape to friends and family."
"Dr. Leal-Silva's impressive clinical study results combined with his successful commercial experience with UltraShape further adds to our growing body of evidence supporting UltraShape as the clinically proven non-invasive option for the reduction of localized fat deposits and improvement in body contour," said Rodger Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer of UltraShape Inc.
About the UltraShape(R) Contour I
The UltraShape Contour I system, based on patented focused ultrasound technology, is the first scientifically and clinically proven non-invasive fat reduction and body contouring solution for both men and women. The device produces mechanical, non-thermal, acoustic effects which target and selectively destroy fat cells, leaving surrounding critical structures such as skin, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue intact. The UltraShape procedure is guided by proprietary real-time tracking and guidance technology designed to deliver smooth, uniform body contouring results. The software guarantees adherence to a pre-determined treatment algorithm minimizing risk of contour irregularities, a common side effect of liposuction. The UltraShape procedure is performed during a convenient, "walk-in, walk-out" session carried out in an office-based environment; it requires no anesthesia or sedation, and the vast majority of patients report no pain or discomfort. After treatment, patients immediately resume their daily routines with no need for maintenance treatments. The UltraShape procedure is available in 50 countries and over 55,000 patient treatments have been performed worldwide with high patient satisfaction. The UltraShape Contour I received the CE Mark in 2005 and a medical device license from Health Canada in 2007. The UltraShape Contour I system is not available for sale in the United States.
About UltraShape(R)
UltraShape is redefining aesthetic medicine by developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative non-invasive technologies for body contouring. The company is dedicated to providing clinically proven safe and effective solutions that enhance the lives of patients worldwide. The UltraShape proprietary non-invasive body contouring technology is based on focused ultrasound that targets and selectively disrupts fat cells without affecting surrounding structures. Founded in 2000, UltraShape is a privately held and venture backed company with offices in the United States, Israel, France, United Kingdom, and Italy.
Hector Leal-Silva, M.D., a dermatologic surgeon based in Monterrey, Mexico, will present the results of the 36 patient clinical study using the UltraShape system on localized fat deposits in the abdomen, flanks, and thighs. The study showed definitive, measurable results in 100 percent of patients including an average of two-inch (5cm) reduction in circumference in the abdomen after a series of three treatments, one month apart. CT scans taken in a subset of study subjects showed objective quantifiable fat thickness reduction. Photographic assessment, weight and circumferential measures were evaluated before and after each treatment and one month after the last treatment. Visual contour improvement was seen in over 85% of patients as assessed by an independent panel of physicians. Ninety-four percent (94%) of patients were satisfied with the procedure. In addition, there were no adverse events reported.
"With the major shift in patient demand toward non-invasive, pain-free, no-downtime procedures UltraShape has become a core procedure offering in my aesthetic practice," said Leal. "My clinical study demonstrated measurable circumference reduction and visual improvement in body contour in all patients. Moreover, my patients are happy with a high percentage of them returning for treatment of other body areas or recommending UltraShape to friends and family."
"Dr. Leal-Silva's impressive clinical study results combined with his successful commercial experience with UltraShape further adds to our growing body of evidence supporting UltraShape as the clinically proven non-invasive option for the reduction of localized fat deposits and improvement in body contour," said Rodger Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer of UltraShape Inc.
About the UltraShape(R) Contour I
The UltraShape Contour I system, based on patented focused ultrasound technology, is the first scientifically and clinically proven non-invasive fat reduction and body contouring solution for both men and women. The device produces mechanical, non-thermal, acoustic effects which target and selectively destroy fat cells, leaving surrounding critical structures such as skin, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue intact. The UltraShape procedure is guided by proprietary real-time tracking and guidance technology designed to deliver smooth, uniform body contouring results. The software guarantees adherence to a pre-determined treatment algorithm minimizing risk of contour irregularities, a common side effect of liposuction. The UltraShape procedure is performed during a convenient, "walk-in, walk-out" session carried out in an office-based environment; it requires no anesthesia or sedation, and the vast majority of patients report no pain or discomfort. After treatment, patients immediately resume their daily routines with no need for maintenance treatments. The UltraShape procedure is available in 50 countries and over 55,000 patient treatments have been performed worldwide with high patient satisfaction. The UltraShape Contour I received the CE Mark in 2005 and a medical device license from Health Canada in 2007. The UltraShape Contour I system is not available for sale in the United States.
About UltraShape(R)
UltraShape is redefining aesthetic medicine by developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative non-invasive technologies for body contouring. The company is dedicated to providing clinically proven safe and effective solutions that enhance the lives of patients worldwide. The UltraShape proprietary non-invasive body contouring technology is based on focused ultrasound that targets and selectively disrupts fat cells without affecting surrounding structures. Founded in 2000, UltraShape is a privately held and venture backed company with offices in the United States, Israel, France, United Kingdom, and Italy.
Accent Laser and machine
The Accent Laser by Alma is the newest laser to hit the market that can safely and effectively contour the body and reduce the visible signs of unwanted cellulite. With all the over the counter and in clinic treatments available, it seems like there are a million different treatments that can help individuals to achieve younger looking skin. So how is one to know which treatment will best benefit them? For those who are looking to reduce the visible signs of cellulite and tighten loose and sagging skin don’t look any further. The accent laser provides an innovative way to get the tighter, younger look and feel you desire.
Like with any aesthetic procedure, cellulite reduction and body contouring treatments become more effective as new technology develops. The latest and greatest in laser cellulite removal technology is the Alma Accent Laser. The Accent Laser is a revolutionary, non-invasive approach to unwanted cellulite and loose and sagging skin. Recently approved by the FDA, the Alma Lasers Accent is the newest weapon to combat unwanted cellulite, reduce loose and sagging skin and remove inches from the thighs, hips and buttocks. For those individuals who are looking for a safe, effective approach to unwanted cellulite, you can find it in the Accent laser.
Undergoing Laser Cellulite Removal with the Alma Accent Laser is a fantastic choice for those individuals that want a non-invasive body contouring treatment that will produce results. The Accent Laser is unique because it combines two types of RF technology—unipolar and bipolar. This dual layer of radiofrequency allows this laser device to reach and treat multiple depths beneath the outer layers of skin. The dual radiofrequency in conjunction with a handpiece that works to promote circulation and tighten the tissue bands that are retaining fat cells, this innovative treatment can create a dramatic change without the need for invasive surgery.
The Alma Accent laser allows individuals to experience a reduction in cellulite, a reduction in inches and a smoother, tauter appearance overall. After a series of safe, effective, nearly painless, non-invasive treatments, your skin will look and feel years younger.
Cosmetic Surgery for Reduce Fat
Surgery is the process of treating patients medically by removing or repairing; however Cosmetic Surgery is the process of removing, repairing, reshaping or augmenting for aesthetic reasons. Cosmetic surgery is considered a medical sub-specialty that is designed for the improvement and enhancement of facial and body structures. This surgical specialty deals with sustaining a “general” normal appearance of a cosmetic ideal through either enhancement or restoration of treated areas of the face and body. This specialty is generally thought to be geared towards purely aesthetic outcomes and is therefore considered elective.
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery physicians require special skills and knowledge in order to perform these specialized treatments. Many fully trained and certified physicians choose to study further in order to become an expert in a specific cosmetic field. Through continued training and experience these surgeons emerge from several types of sub-specialties, some of which include dermatology, plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery. These surgeons not only utilize their multi-disciplinary skills to help people look and feel their best, they also offer expertise in patient education, procedural skills and early recognition of treatment complications.
As society has driven individuals to become more body conscious, more and more men and women are undergoing body and Facial Cosmetic Surgery in order to create a better look. Cosmetic surgical procedures are an excellent way for patients to rejuvenate both mind and body because surgeries can be performed to enhance and perfect just about any feature. Whether you are looking for a way to remove excess unwanted fat, smooth and tighten wrinkled or sagging skin, or are looking to enhance a particular facial or body feature, there is most likely a procedure that can help.
Cosmetic surgeons perform several types of treatments and procedures and depending on the treatment you are undergoing, these can include but are not limited to incisions, excisions, lasers, chemical peels, dermabrasion, grafting, enhancement and reconstruction. Specific types of procedures under the scope of cosmetic surgery include abdominoplasty, blepharoplasty, mammoplasty, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, chemical peels, rhinoplasty, lipectomy, liposuction and laser skin treatments. While these are some of the most popular, procedures exist that can treat any part of the face or body safely and effectively.
Depending on your own personal concerns, you and your physician can discuss the treatment alternatives that will help you to discover which cosmetic procedure will help you to achieve the look and feel you desire.
Medical Weight Loss as soon as possible
Medical Weight Loss is an option for those individuals who are looking to remove the excess pounds they are unable to shed through conventional weight loss methods. Weight loss isthe decrease of body weight due to the loss of fat, fluid or muscle. Society tends to influence fashions and trends and society, for the most part, associates beauty with being thin. Because of this, dieting and weight loss has quickly become a 40 billion dollar per year industry. Health reasons as well as pressure from society to conform have made weight loss surgeries very popular for both men and women to undergo today. While medical and surgical weight loss treatments are not classified as cosmetic procedures, the results often enhances a person’s look and feel.
For those individuals who have been unable to lose weight through conventional methods of diet, exercise and or medications, medical weight loss may be the only option. This course of action is often referred to as Bariatric surgery or lap band surgery and is generally reserved for those individuals who are considered morbidly obese. Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that greatly exceeds the body’s physical standards. In order to be considered for one of the surgical weight loss approaches, one needs to be at least 100lbs over the average for their height and weight and have a BMI greater than 40.
Medical Weight Loss procedures are either restrictive, malabsorptive or a combination of both. Restrictive procedures are based on the premise that if the stomach is smaller, a feeling of fullness is created quicker and therefore fewer calories will be consumed. Malabsorptive procedures involve altering the digestion process by bypassing the stomach to the small intestine which limits the absorption of calories, in so doing weight loss results. A combination of malabsorption and restrictive procedures are done to help individuals take advantage of both types of calorie restriction.
The transformation medical weight loss patients experience is very extreme and very self rewarding. By combining medical weight loss, diet and exercise, patients can take full advantage of the results they achieve by smoothing and toning their new figure. For those individuals who are concerned with their weight, these medical procedures may be just what you need. Consult with your physician and determine if there are any medical weight loss treatments that are right for you.
Surgical Weight Loss
According to the Centers for Disease control, the incidence of obesity in the United States has dramatically increased within the past 20 years. Obesity is considered to be an excess amount of accumulated body fat. Obesity continues to be of major concern as it increases the risk of developing or complicating many other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and certain types of cancers. Keeping this in mind many people opt for a surgical method to control their weight and regain their health. For those people who have been unable to lose weight through conventional methods of diet, exercise and/or medications, a surgical weight loss procedure may be their only option.
Surgical weight loss is often referred to as Bariatric surgery and is generally reserved for those individuals who are considered morbidly obese. Obesity results when an excessive accumulation of fat exceeds the body’s physical standards. This means for a person to be considered morbidly obese they need to be at least 100lbs over the average for their height and weight and have a BMI greater than 40. It is then that they will be considered to undergo a surgical weight loss procedure.
Weight loss surgeries are considered either restrictive, malabsorptive or a combination of the two. Restrictive procedures make the stomach smaller so a feeling of fullness causing less calories to be consumed. The lap band surgery is considered a restrictive procedure in which a device is placed around the stomach and can be adjusted to allow more or less of a caloric restriction. Malabsorptive treatments alter the digestive process by bypassing the stomach to the small intestine, limiting absorption of calories. This is known as a gastric bypass. The most common and successful combined surgery is called the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. And when the stomach is surgically sutured or stapled to prevent large quantities of food from entering it is called a Gastroplasty. Consult with a bariatric surgery specialist to determine if one of the surgical weight loss procedures is right for you.
Fat Removal
Fat reduction and Fat Removal are concepts that have been in existence for years, but as men and women continue to become more body conscious, society has taken weight loss and body contouring to a whole new level. Whether you are looking to lose a significant amount of weight or are more interested in toning and contouring specific parts of the face or body, there is a fat reduction procedure that can help you. By doing plenty of research on various procedures, you’ll be able to find the one that can get you the results you want in order to achieve the look you desire.
Diet and exercise are two key components to fighting the battle against unwanted fat. However, sometimes, diet and exercise alone simply aren’t enough. As we grow older, areas of the face and body simply refuse to respond to everyday methods of weight reduction and body contouring. Because of this, several treatments, both invasive and non-invasive, have been developed that can help individuals to achieve the toned and contoured look they desire. At MyFatRemoval.Com, you can learn about each of these procedures in order to determine which will help you to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself.
For those men and women who are looking for fat removal techniques that will help to target specific problem areas on the face or body, there are several procedures that can help. For those who are looking to go the non-invasive route, Endermologie® is a fantastic way to reduce the outward appearance of cellulite as well as localized fat deposits. Through a specific regiment of suction and massage, this treatment works to break down subcutaneous fat as well as increase collagen production for a fat reduction, skin tightening effect. More invasive treatments include Mesotherapy, surgical lift procedures and liposuction. Several advancements in liposuction treatments have brought about the development of laser assisted lipolysis—a less invasive, less risky liposuction procedure that provides better results with less downtime. Consider SmartLipo™, SmoothLipo™ or CoolLipo™ for your laser assisted liposuction needs.
For those individuals who are looking for significant weight reduction, there are several fat removal procedures that will provide safe, effective results. One of the most popular medical weight loss procedures undergone by men and women alike is the lap band procedure. This treatment involves a band being placed around the stomach in order to restrict the intake of food. By controlling the amount of food that enters the stomach, significant weight loss can be achieved. Another popular surgical procedure for significant weight loss is gastric bypass surgery. This procedure involves altering the digestive process so that food bypasses the stomach and goes straight to the small intestine. This limits the absorption of calories which can help to reduce weight and remove unwanted fat.
Whether you are searching for non-invasive procedures, or invasive surgical remedies, there is a Fat Removal treatment out there that can help you get the results you are looking for. For a smoother, tighter, more contoured appearance that lasts, consider your fat reduction options today.
Factors affecting physical appearance
Physiological differences in human physical appearance from individual to individual
* Genetic, racial, ethnic affiliation
* Height, body weight, skin tone, body hair, sexual organs, moles, birthmarks, freckles, hair color, hair texture, eye color, nose shape, ears shape, body shape
* Body deformations, mutilations and other variations such as amputations, scars, burns and wounds.
Long-term physiological changes in an individual
* Aging
* Hair loss
Short-term physiological changes in an individual
* Blushing, crying, fainting, hiccup, stuttering, sexual arousal, reddening of the skin due to increased blood flow due to exertion. Sweating, shivering, nose bleeding, skin color changes due to sunshine or frost.
Clothing, personal effects, and intentional body modifications
* clothing, including headgear and footwear; some clothes alter or mold the shape of the body (e.g. corset, support pantyhose, bra). As for footwear, high heels make a person look taller.
* style and colour of haircut (see also mohawk, dreadlocks, braids, ponytail, wig, hairpin, facial hair, beard and moustache)
* cosmetics, stage makeup, body paintings, permanent makeup
* body modifications, such as body piercings, tattoos, scarification
* plastic surgery
* decorative objects (jewelry) such as a necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings
* medical or body shape altering devices (e.g. tooth braces, bandages, casts, hearing aids, cervical collar, crutches, contact lenses of different colours, glasses, gold teeth)
* Genetic, racial, ethnic affiliation
* Height, body weight, skin tone, body hair, sexual organs, moles, birthmarks, freckles, hair color, hair texture, eye color, nose shape, ears shape, body shape
* Body deformations, mutilations and other variations such as amputations, scars, burns and wounds.
Long-term physiological changes in an individual
* Aging
* Hair loss
Short-term physiological changes in an individual
* Blushing, crying, fainting, hiccup, stuttering, sexual arousal, reddening of the skin due to increased blood flow due to exertion. Sweating, shivering, nose bleeding, skin color changes due to sunshine or frost.
Clothing, personal effects, and intentional body modifications
* clothing, including headgear and footwear; some clothes alter or mold the shape of the body (e.g. corset, support pantyhose, bra). As for footwear, high heels make a person look taller.
* style and colour of haircut (see also mohawk, dreadlocks, braids, ponytail, wig, hairpin, facial hair, beard and moustache)
* cosmetics, stage makeup, body paintings, permanent makeup
* body modifications, such as body piercings, tattoos, scarification
* plastic surgery
* decorative objects (jewelry) such as a necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings
* medical or body shape altering devices (e.g. tooth braces, bandages, casts, hearing aids, cervical collar, crutches, contact lenses of different colours, glasses, gold teeth)
Human physical appearance
Variations in the physical appearance of humans, known as human looks, are believed by anthropologists to be an important factor in the development of personality and social relations, in particular, physical attractiveness. Humans are acutely sensitive to variations in physical appearance, some theorize for reasons of evolution. Some differences in human appearance are genetic, others are the result of age or disease, and many are the result of personal adornment.
Some people have traditionally linked some differences in personal appearance such as skeletal shape with race, such as prognathism or elongated stride. Different cultures place different degrees of emphasis on physical appearance and its importance to social status and other phenomena.
Some people have traditionally linked some differences in personal appearance such as skeletal shape with race, such as prognathism or elongated stride. Different cultures place different degrees of emphasis on physical appearance and its importance to social status and other phenomena.
Social effects of attractiveness
When a person is seen as attractive or unattractive, assumptions are brought into play. Across cultures, what is beautiful is assumed to be good. Attractive people are assumed to be more extroverted, popular, and happy. This could lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy; from a young age, attractive people receive more attention that helps them develop these characteristics. But attractiveness varies by society; in ancient China, a "set of withered or amputated toes at the end of crippled feet, which were jammed into the smallest possible slipper," was attractive, so foot binding was practiced by confining young girls' feet in tightly bound shoes to prevent the feet from growing to normal size.
Physical attractiveness can have various effects. A survey conducted by London Guildhall University of 11,000 people showed that those who subjectively describe themselves as physically attractive earn more income than others who would describe themselves as less attractive.[87] People who described themselves as less attractive earned, on average, 13% less than those who described themselves as more attractive, while the penalty for being overweight was around 5%. It is important to note that other factors such as self-confidence may explain or influence these findings as they are based on self-reported attractiveness as opposed to any sort of objective criteria; however, as one's self-confidence and self-esteem are largely learned from how one is regarded by his/her peers while maturing, even these considerations would suggest a significant role for physical appearance. One writer speculated that "the distress created in women by the spread of unattainable ideals of female beauty" might possibly be linked to increasing incidents of depression.
Many have asserted that certain advantages tend to come to those who are perceived as being more attractive, including the ability to get better jobs and promotions; receiving better treatment from authorities and the legal system; having more choices in romantic partners and, therefore, more power in relationships; and marrying into families with more money.
Both men and women use physical attractiveness as a measure of how 'good' another person is.Some have proposed that discrimination against or prejudice towards others based on their appearance should be referred to as Lookism. [citation needed]
Some researchers conclude that little difference exists between men and women in terms of sexual behavior. Symmetrical men and women have a tendency to begin to have sexual intercourse at an earlier age, to have more sexual partners, to engage in a wider variety of sexual activities, and to have more one-night stands. They are also prone to infidelity and are more likely to have open relationships.Additionally, they have the most reproductive success. Therefore, their physical characteristics are most likely to be inherited by future generations.
Columnist Maureen Dowd thought that the feminist movement would have changed the rules regarding beauty, but concluded after forty years that "the ideal of feminine beauty is more rigid and unnatural than ever" and she still felt imprisoned by the "tyranny of the girdled, primped ideal of the 50's, She wrote:
What I don't like now is that the young women rejecting the feminist movement are dressing alike, looking alike and thinking alike. The plumage is more colorful, the shapes are more curvy, the look is more plastic, the message is diametrically opposite - before it was don't be a sex object; now it's be a sex object - but the conformity is just as stifling
Physical attractiveness can have various effects. A survey conducted by London Guildhall University of 11,000 people showed that those who subjectively describe themselves as physically attractive earn more income than others who would describe themselves as less attractive.[87] People who described themselves as less attractive earned, on average, 13% less than those who described themselves as more attractive, while the penalty for being overweight was around 5%. It is important to note that other factors such as self-confidence may explain or influence these findings as they are based on self-reported attractiveness as opposed to any sort of objective criteria; however, as one's self-confidence and self-esteem are largely learned from how one is regarded by his/her peers while maturing, even these considerations would suggest a significant role for physical appearance. One writer speculated that "the distress created in women by the spread of unattainable ideals of female beauty" might possibly be linked to increasing incidents of depression.
Many have asserted that certain advantages tend to come to those who are perceived as being more attractive, including the ability to get better jobs and promotions; receiving better treatment from authorities and the legal system; having more choices in romantic partners and, therefore, more power in relationships; and marrying into families with more money.
Both men and women use physical attractiveness as a measure of how 'good' another person is.Some have proposed that discrimination against or prejudice towards others based on their appearance should be referred to as Lookism. [citation needed]
Some researchers conclude that little difference exists between men and women in terms of sexual behavior. Symmetrical men and women have a tendency to begin to have sexual intercourse at an earlier age, to have more sexual partners, to engage in a wider variety of sexual activities, and to have more one-night stands. They are also prone to infidelity and are more likely to have open relationships.Additionally, they have the most reproductive success. Therefore, their physical characteristics are most likely to be inherited by future generations.
Columnist Maureen Dowd thought that the feminist movement would have changed the rules regarding beauty, but concluded after forty years that "the ideal of feminine beauty is more rigid and unnatural than ever" and she still felt imprisoned by the "tyranny of the girdled, primped ideal of the 50's, She wrote:
What I don't like now is that the young women rejecting the feminist movement are dressing alike, looking alike and thinking alike. The plumage is more colorful, the shapes are more curvy, the look is more plastic, the message is diametrically opposite - before it was don't be a sex object; now it's be a sex object - but the conformity is just as stifling
Gender differences on importance of physical attractiveness
Studies generally show that men on average place greater emphasis on physical attractiveness than women do, with women being more attracted to personality-based traits by comparison. A 2003 study in the area concluded that heterosexual women are about equally aroused when viewing men or women. Heterosexual men were only aroused by women. This study verified arousal in the test subjects by connecting them to brain imaging devices. Evidence of this theory are present in the real world, men, in general are universally sexually attracted (and willing to have sex with immediately) to physically attractive females, yet most women are not willing to have sex with attractive men whom they have no yet had the chance to be fully introduced to. Women are also generally the ones to be concerned more with appearance, whereas males will be less occupied. Scientific evidence of this is the fact that men are fertile their entire lives, but women lose fertility and a fertile appearance (thus their attractiveness) upon menopause. This study concluded that "men who demonstrate an extraordinary personality, despite their age, are sexually appealing to fertile females", and "women who possess a fertile appearance [this window lasts from the onset of puberty to menopause], are sexually appealing to men"; thus women lose their sexual appeal eventually, and men do not.
Determinants of female physical attractiveness
Features such as a symmetrical face, large breasts, and low waist-hip ratio are commonly considered physically attractive in females, because they are thought to indicate physical health and high fertility to a potential mate. The determinants of female physical attractiveness include those aspects that display health and fitness for reproduction and sustenance. These include correlates of fertility such as youth, waist-hip ratio, breast size, breast symmetry, body mass proportion and facial symmetry. Though it has been said that facial attractiveness and symmetry signal good health, it has been questioned and said not to be highly related to good health.
Facial alignment
In a study by University of Louisville psychologist Michael Cunningham, dimensions and proportions of what was regarded as attractive emerged with remarkable consistency. The ideal attractive female face featured "eye width that is three-tenths the width of the face at the eyes' level; chin length, one-fifth the height of the face; distance from the center of the eye to the bottom of the eyebrow, one-tenth the height of the face; the height of the visible eyeball, one-fourteenth the height of the face; the width of the pupil, one-fourteenth the distance between the cheekbones; and the total area for the nose, less than 5 percent of the area of the face." Very small differences mattered; for example, "the ideal mouth was half or 50 percent the width of the face at mouth level; if that percentage varied "by as little at 10 points," the face was rated as less attractive. The study found the "beauty of the female face ... is mathematically quantifiable.
Desired traits were large female eyes, small chin and nose, and these "infantlike features draw out in them the same caretaking response a baby would–they make a woman seem cute and adorable."[38] Further, high wide cheekbones and narrow cheeks are "signs that a woman has reached puberty" and "high eyebrows, dilated pupils and wide smile" signal excitement and sociability. One psychologist speculated there were two opposing principles of female beauty: prettiness and rarity. So average, symmetrical features is one ideal, while unusual, stand-out features is another. A study performed by the University of Toronto found that the most attractive facial dimensions were those found in the average female face. However, the study looked only at white women.
Signals of youth
Because female fecundity typically declines after the late twenties, youth is an important aspect of physical attractiveness. One study across 37 cultures showed men desire, on average, a woman 2.5 years younger than themselves for a wife, with men in Nigeria and Zambia at the far extreme, desiring their wives to be 6.5 to 7.5 years younger. As men age, they also desire a larger age gap from their mates. The reasons for this preference are currently debated.
This preference for youth has also led to a preference of neotenic and youthful-appearing features. High, firm breasts,fair or long and lustrous hair (or a combination of the three), full red lips, clear smooth skin, and clear eyes, are viewed as attractive in women.
Breast size
Full breasts may be attractive to some men in Western societies, as opposed to non-Western societies that tend not to favour women with hourglass figures, because women with higher breast to under-breast ratios typically have higher levels of the sex hormone, estradiol, which promotes fertility.[50] Larger breasts also display the aging process more noticeably, hence they are a relatively reliable indicator of long-term fertility.
Facial alignment
In a study by University of Louisville psychologist Michael Cunningham, dimensions and proportions of what was regarded as attractive emerged with remarkable consistency. The ideal attractive female face featured "eye width that is three-tenths the width of the face at the eyes' level; chin length, one-fifth the height of the face; distance from the center of the eye to the bottom of the eyebrow, one-tenth the height of the face; the height of the visible eyeball, one-fourteenth the height of the face; the width of the pupil, one-fourteenth the distance between the cheekbones; and the total area for the nose, less than 5 percent of the area of the face." Very small differences mattered; for example, "the ideal mouth was half or 50 percent the width of the face at mouth level; if that percentage varied "by as little at 10 points," the face was rated as less attractive. The study found the "beauty of the female face ... is mathematically quantifiable.
Desired traits were large female eyes, small chin and nose, and these "infantlike features draw out in them the same caretaking response a baby would–they make a woman seem cute and adorable."[38] Further, high wide cheekbones and narrow cheeks are "signs that a woman has reached puberty" and "high eyebrows, dilated pupils and wide smile" signal excitement and sociability. One psychologist speculated there were two opposing principles of female beauty: prettiness and rarity. So average, symmetrical features is one ideal, while unusual, stand-out features is another. A study performed by the University of Toronto found that the most attractive facial dimensions were those found in the average female face. However, the study looked only at white women.
Signals of youth
Because female fecundity typically declines after the late twenties, youth is an important aspect of physical attractiveness. One study across 37 cultures showed men desire, on average, a woman 2.5 years younger than themselves for a wife, with men in Nigeria and Zambia at the far extreme, desiring their wives to be 6.5 to 7.5 years younger. As men age, they also desire a larger age gap from their mates. The reasons for this preference are currently debated.
This preference for youth has also led to a preference of neotenic and youthful-appearing features. High, firm breasts,fair or long and lustrous hair (or a combination of the three), full red lips, clear smooth skin, and clear eyes, are viewed as attractive in women.
Breast size
Full breasts may be attractive to some men in Western societies, as opposed to non-Western societies that tend not to favour women with hourglass figures, because women with higher breast to under-breast ratios typically have higher levels of the sex hormone, estradiol, which promotes fertility.[50] Larger breasts also display the aging process more noticeably, hence they are a relatively reliable indicator of long-term fertility.
Determinants of male physical attractiveness
Facial features
Studies have shown that ovulating heterosexual women and homosexual men prefer faces with masculine traits associated with increased testosterone, such as heavy brows, prominent chins, heavy jaws, and broad cheekbones. Women who are in the late luteal or early follicular phases of the menstrual cycle (or those taking hormonal contraception) do not prefer masculine male faces. These are suggested to be a reliable indication of good health, or, alternatively, that dominant- and masculine-looking males are more likely to achieve high status. However, the correlation between attractive facial features and health has been questioned. Also, females tend to prefer different facial traits in short-term and long-term partners, and sociocultural factors, such as self-perceived attractiveness, status in a relationship and degree of gender-conformity, have been reported to play a role in female preferences for male faces.
[edit] Symmetry
Symmetrical faces and bodies may be signs of good inheritance to women of child-bearing age seeking to create healthy offspring. Some studies suggested that women at peak fertility were more likely to fantasize about men with greater symmetry. Studies suggest women are more attracted to men with symmetrical features, while this symmetry has also been shown to correlate with other variables typically associated with masculinity, such as greater height, broader shoulders, and smaller hip-to-waist ratios. Facial and body symmetry may indicate good health, which is a desirable feature.
V-shaped torso and muscularity
The mesomorphic physique of a slim waist, broad shoulders and muscular chest are often found to be attractive.[18] A near-universal sexually attractive feature of a man is a v-shaped torso: a relatively narrow waist offset with broad shoulders. While some cultures prefer their males huskier and others leaner, the rule of a v-shaped torso generally holds true. Consistently, men with a waist-to-shoulder ratio of 0.75 or lower are viewed as considerably more attractive than men with more even waists and shoulders. A degree of hirsuteness and a waist-to-shoulder ratio of 0.6 is often preferred, when combined with a mesomorphic physique.
A normal level of the hormone testosterone is a possible indicator of good sexual health. In the absence of normal testosterone levels, a man may have reduced height and muscularity.
Height and erect posture
Females' sexual attraction towards males is sometimes partly determined by the height of the man. Height in men is associated with status in many cultures, which is beneficial to women romantically involved with them. This preference may have been passed on genetically. As a corollary, shorter men may be viewed as less attractive, all other things being equal, for casual and intended long-term relationships. One study conducted of women's personal ads support the existence of this preference; the study found that in ads requesting height in a mate, 80 percent requested a height of 6 feet or taller. However, this percentage was only of ads specifying height, and therefore possibly self-selected and/or biased by a third factor such as female height. Recent studies have shown that heterosexual women often prefer men taller than they are, over a man with above average height. Some sociologists theorize this may be because dominance is a sexually attractive characteristic of males, and a taller height subtly communicates dominance. Cosmopolitan Magazine published an article suggesting that women are most attracted to men who are 1.1 times their own height. The article also argued, on the basis of a survey of their readers, that women are statistically more likely to be attracted to men of average height when looking for long-term commitment, while the opposite is true when a short-term relationship is intended. In addition, the article claimed that women may have these different preferences for height depending on the phase of their menstrual cycle at the time. While women usually desire men to be at least the same height as themselves or taller, several other factors also determine male attractiveness, and the male-taller norm is not universal.
Additionally, women seem more receptive to an erect posture than men, though both prefer it as an element of beauty; this fact appears correlated to the preference for males who demonstrate confidence, physical strength, and a powerful bearing.
Hairiness
Studies based in The United States, New Zealand, and China have shown that women rate men with no body hair as most attractive, and that attractiveness ratings decline as hirsutism increases. Another study found a moderate amount of trunk hair was most attractive, to the sample of British and Sri Lankan women.
Variability in preferences
It has been shown that women prefer more masculine men during the fertile period of the menstrual cycle and more feminine men during other parts of the cycle.This distinction supports the sexy son hypothesis, which posits that it is evolutionarily advantageous for women to select potential fathers who are traditionally masculine rather than the best caregivers. Masculine facial features are characterized by a prominent chin, strong brow, a strong nose, pronounced mouth and lips, a high forehead[citation needed] and a prominent lower jaw whereas feminine features are less pronounced. According to one study, men with facial scars are more attractive to Western women seeking short-term relationships; this may be due to the perception that facial scars are a symbol of high testosterone and masculinity.
Studies have shown that ovulating heterosexual women and homosexual men prefer faces with masculine traits associated with increased testosterone, such as heavy brows, prominent chins, heavy jaws, and broad cheekbones. Women who are in the late luteal or early follicular phases of the menstrual cycle (or those taking hormonal contraception) do not prefer masculine male faces. These are suggested to be a reliable indication of good health, or, alternatively, that dominant- and masculine-looking males are more likely to achieve high status. However, the correlation between attractive facial features and health has been questioned. Also, females tend to prefer different facial traits in short-term and long-term partners, and sociocultural factors, such as self-perceived attractiveness, status in a relationship and degree of gender-conformity, have been reported to play a role in female preferences for male faces.
[edit] Symmetry
Symmetrical faces and bodies may be signs of good inheritance to women of child-bearing age seeking to create healthy offspring. Some studies suggested that women at peak fertility were more likely to fantasize about men with greater symmetry. Studies suggest women are more attracted to men with symmetrical features, while this symmetry has also been shown to correlate with other variables typically associated with masculinity, such as greater height, broader shoulders, and smaller hip-to-waist ratios. Facial and body symmetry may indicate good health, which is a desirable feature.
V-shaped torso and muscularity
The mesomorphic physique of a slim waist, broad shoulders and muscular chest are often found to be attractive.[18] A near-universal sexually attractive feature of a man is a v-shaped torso: a relatively narrow waist offset with broad shoulders. While some cultures prefer their males huskier and others leaner, the rule of a v-shaped torso generally holds true. Consistently, men with a waist-to-shoulder ratio of 0.75 or lower are viewed as considerably more attractive than men with more even waists and shoulders. A degree of hirsuteness and a waist-to-shoulder ratio of 0.6 is often preferred, when combined with a mesomorphic physique.
A normal level of the hormone testosterone is a possible indicator of good sexual health. In the absence of normal testosterone levels, a man may have reduced height and muscularity.
Height and erect posture
Females' sexual attraction towards males is sometimes partly determined by the height of the man. Height in men is associated with status in many cultures, which is beneficial to women romantically involved with them. This preference may have been passed on genetically. As a corollary, shorter men may be viewed as less attractive, all other things being equal, for casual and intended long-term relationships. One study conducted of women's personal ads support the existence of this preference; the study found that in ads requesting height in a mate, 80 percent requested a height of 6 feet or taller. However, this percentage was only of ads specifying height, and therefore possibly self-selected and/or biased by a third factor such as female height. Recent studies have shown that heterosexual women often prefer men taller than they are, over a man with above average height. Some sociologists theorize this may be because dominance is a sexually attractive characteristic of males, and a taller height subtly communicates dominance. Cosmopolitan Magazine published an article suggesting that women are most attracted to men who are 1.1 times their own height. The article also argued, on the basis of a survey of their readers, that women are statistically more likely to be attracted to men of average height when looking for long-term commitment, while the opposite is true when a short-term relationship is intended. In addition, the article claimed that women may have these different preferences for height depending on the phase of their menstrual cycle at the time. While women usually desire men to be at least the same height as themselves or taller, several other factors also determine male attractiveness, and the male-taller norm is not universal.
Additionally, women seem more receptive to an erect posture than men, though both prefer it as an element of beauty; this fact appears correlated to the preference for males who demonstrate confidence, physical strength, and a powerful bearing.
Hairiness
Studies based in The United States, New Zealand, and China have shown that women rate men with no body hair as most attractive, and that attractiveness ratings decline as hirsutism increases. Another study found a moderate amount of trunk hair was most attractive, to the sample of British and Sri Lankan women.
Variability in preferences
It has been shown that women prefer more masculine men during the fertile period of the menstrual cycle and more feminine men during other parts of the cycle.This distinction supports the sexy son hypothesis, which posits that it is evolutionarily advantageous for women to select potential fathers who are traditionally masculine rather than the best caregivers. Masculine facial features are characterized by a prominent chin, strong brow, a strong nose, pronounced mouth and lips, a high forehead[citation needed] and a prominent lower jaw whereas feminine features are less pronounced. According to one study, men with facial scars are more attractive to Western women seeking short-term relationships; this may be due to the perception that facial scars are a symbol of high testosterone and masculinity.
Physical attractiveness
Physical attractiveness is the perception of the physical traits of an individual human person as aesthetically pleasing or beautiful, and can include various implications such as sexual attractiveness and physique. What is considered physically attractive is dependent on three factors: universal perceptions common to all human cultures, cultural and social aspects, and individual subjective preferences. Despite universally held perceptions of beauty in both sexes, males tend to place significantly higher value on physical appearance in a partner than women do.This can be explained by evolutionary psychology as a consequence of ancestral humans who selected partners based on secondary sexual characteristics, as well as general indicators of fitness (for example, symmetrical features) enjoying greater reproductive success as a result of higher fertility in those partners ,although a male's ability to provide resources for offspring was likely signalled less by physical features. This is because the most prominent indicator of fertility in women is youth, while the traits in a man that enhance reproductive success are proxies for his ability to accrue resources and protect. There appear to be universal standards regarding attractiveness both within and across cultures and ethnic groups.
Physical attractiveness can have a significant effect on how people are judged in terms of employment or social opportunities, friendship, sexual behavior, and marriage.[6] In many cases, humans attribute positive characteristics, such as intelligence and honesty, to attractive people without consciously realizing it,In certain instances, physical attractiveness is distinct from sexual attraction; humans may regard the young as attractive for various reasons, for example, but without sexual attraction.
Women, on average, tend to be attracted to men who are slightly taller and who have a relatively narrow waist and broad shoulders. Men, overall, tend to be attracted by women who are slightly shorter, have a youthful appearance and exhibit features such as a symmetrical face, full breasts, full lips, and a low waist-hip ratio
Physical attractiveness can have a significant effect on how people are judged in terms of employment or social opportunities, friendship, sexual behavior, and marriage.[6] In many cases, humans attribute positive characteristics, such as intelligence and honesty, to attractive people without consciously realizing it,In certain instances, physical attractiveness is distinct from sexual attraction; humans may regard the young as attractive for various reasons, for example, but without sexual attraction.
Women, on average, tend to be attracted to men who are slightly taller and who have a relatively narrow waist and broad shoulders. Men, overall, tend to be attracted by women who are slightly shorter, have a youthful appearance and exhibit features such as a symmetrical face, full breasts, full lips, and a low waist-hip ratio
Treatment of fat
A large number of people undergo some form of treatment to attempt to reduce their weight, usually either in an attempt to improve their health, to improve their lifestyle, or for cosmetic reasons. The generally recommended treatment for being overweight is a modified or controlled diet in conjunction with increased physical exercise. For those who are obese rather than overweight, more intensive therapies such as anti-obesity drugs and/or bariatric surgery are sometimes used.
Recent evidence indicates that the spice turmeric may help reduce fat tissue without making other changes to the diet. The evidence is based on studies with mice. Researchers next will attempt studies in humans.
Studies suggest that reducing calorie intake by itself (dieting) may have short-term effects but does not lead to long-term weight loss, and can often result in gaining back all of the lost weight and more in the longer term. For this reason, it is generally recommended that weight-loss diets not be attempted on their own but instead in combination with increased exercise and long-term planning and weight management.
The health benefits of weight loss are also somewhat unclear. While it is generally accepted that for significantly obese patients, losing weight can reduce health risks and improve quality of life, there is some evidence to suggest that for merely overweight patients, the health effects of attempting to lose weight may actually be more detrimental than simply remaining overweight.Moreover, for all individuals, repeatedly losing weight and then gaining it back ("weight cycling" or "yo-yo dieting"), is believed to do more harm than good and can be the cause of significant additional health problems. This is caused by the loss of more muscle than fat.
Recent evidence indicates that the spice turmeric may help reduce fat tissue without making other changes to the diet. The evidence is based on studies with mice. Researchers next will attempt studies in humans.
Studies suggest that reducing calorie intake by itself (dieting) may have short-term effects but does not lead to long-term weight loss, and can often result in gaining back all of the lost weight and more in the longer term. For this reason, it is generally recommended that weight-loss diets not be attempted on their own but instead in combination with increased exercise and long-term planning and weight management.
The health benefits of weight loss are also somewhat unclear. While it is generally accepted that for significantly obese patients, losing weight can reduce health risks and improve quality of life, there is some evidence to suggest that for merely overweight patients, the health effects of attempting to lose weight may actually be more detrimental than simply remaining overweight.Moreover, for all individuals, repeatedly losing weight and then gaining it back ("weight cycling" or "yo-yo dieting"), is believed to do more harm than good and can be the cause of significant additional health problems. This is caused by the loss of more muscle than fat.
defination of fat and overweight
Overweight is generally defined as having more body fat than is optimally healthy. Being overweight is a common condition, especially where food supplies are plentiful and lifestyles are sedentary. As much as 64% of the United States adult population is considered either overweight or obese, and this percentage has increased over the last four decades.[1]
Excess weight has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than 1 billion adults being either overweight or obese.[2] Increases have been observed across all age groups.
A healthy body requires a minimum amount of fat for the proper functioning of the hormonal, reproductive, and immune systems, as thermal insulation, as shock absorption for sensitive areas, and as energy for future use. But the accumulation of too much storage fat can impair movement and flexibility, and can alter the appearance of the body.
Excess weight has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than 1 billion adults being either overweight or obese.[2] Increases have been observed across all age groups.
A healthy body requires a minimum amount of fat for the proper functioning of the hormonal, reproductive, and immune systems, as thermal insulation, as shock absorption for sensitive areas, and as energy for future use. But the accumulation of too much storage fat can impair movement and flexibility, and can alter the appearance of the body.
Classification of Overweight and Fat
Classification
The degree to which a person is overweight is generally described by Body Mass Index. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 or more, thus it includes pre-obesity defined as a BMI between 25 and 30 and obesity as defined by a BMI of 30 or more.[3][4] Pre obese and overweight however are often used interchangeably thus giving overweight a common definition of a BMI of between 25 -30. There are however several other common ways to measure the amount of adiposity or fat present in an individual's body.
* Body Mass Index
The Body Mass Index, or BMI is a measure of a person's weight taking into account their height. It is given by the formula: BMI equals a person's weight (mass) in kilograms divided by the square of the person's height in metres. Their units therefore are kg/m2 but BMI measures are typically used and written without units.
BMI provides a significantly more accurate representation of body fat content than simply measuring a person's weight. It is highly correlated with both body fat percentage and body fat mass.[5] It does not take into account certain factors such as pregnancy or bodybuilding; however, the BMI is an accurate reflection of fat percentage in the majority of the adult population.
* Body Volume Index
The Body Volume Index (BVI) was devised in 2000 as a computer, rather than manual measurement of the human body for obesity and an alternative to the Body Mass Index (BMI)
BVI uses 3D software to create an accurate 3D image of a person so BVI can differentiate between people with the same BMI rating, but who have a different shape and different weight distribution.
BVI measures where a person’s weight and the fat are located on the body, rather than total weight or total fat content and places emphasis on the weight carried around the abdomen, commonly known as central obesity. There has been an acceptance in recent years that abdominal fat and weight around the abdomen constitute a greater health risk.
* Simple Weighing
The person's weight is measured and compared to an estimated ideal weight. This is the easiest and most common method, but by far the least accurate, as it only measures one quantity (weight) and often does not take into account many factors such as height, body type, and relative amount of muscle mass.
* Skinfold Calipers or "pinch test"
The skin at several specific points on the body is pinched and the thickness of the resulting fold is measured. This measures the thickness of the layers of fat located under the skin, from which a general measurement of total amount of fat in the body is calculated. This method can be reasonably accurate for many people, but it does assume particular patterns for fat distribution over the body which may not apply to all individuals, and does not account for fat deposits which may not be directly under the skin. Also, as the measurement and analysis generally involves a high degree of practice and interpretation, for an accurate result it must be performed by a professional and cannot generally be done by patients themselves.
* Bioelectrical impedance analysis
A small electrical current is passed through the body to measure its electrical resistance. As fat and muscle conduct electricity differently, this method can provide a direct measurement of the body fat percentage, in relation to muscle mass. In the past, this technique could only be performed reliably by trained professionals with specialized equipment, but it is now possible to buy home testing kits which allow people to do this themselves with a minimum of training. Despite the improved simplicity of this process over the years, however, there are a number of factors which can affect the results, including hydration and body temperature, so it still needs some care when taking the test to ensure that the results are accurate.
* Hydrostatic Weighing
Considered one of the more accurate methods of measuring body fat, this technique involves complete submersion of a person in water, with special equipment to measure the person's weight while submerged. This weight is then compared with "dry weight" as recorded outside the water to determine overall body density. As fat is less dense than muscle, careful application of this technique can provide a reasonably close estimate of fat content in the body. This technique does, however, require expensive specialized equipment and trained professionals to administer it properly.
* DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry)
Originally developed to measure bone density, DEXA imaging has also come to be used as a precise way to determine body fat content by using the density of various body tissues to identify which portions of the body are fat. This test is generally considered to be very accurate, but requires a great deal of expensive medical equipment and trained professionals to perform.
The most common method for discussing this subject and the one used primarily by researchers and advisory institutions is BMI. Definitions of what is considered to be overweight vary by ethnicity. The current definition proposed by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) designates whites, Hispanics and blacks with a BMI of 25 or more as overweight. For Asians, overweight is a BMI between 23 and 29.9 and obesity for all groups is a BMI of 30 or more.
BMI, however, does not account extremes of muscle mass, some rare genetic factors, the very young, and a few other individual variations. Thus it is possible for an individuals with a BMI of less than 25 to have excess body fat, while others may have a BMI that is significantly higher without falling into this category.[7] Some of the above methods for determining body fat are more accurate than BMI but come with added complexity.
If an individual is overweight and has excess body fat it could, but won't always, create or lead to health risks. Reports are surfacing, however, that being mildly overweight to slightly obese-BMI being between 24 and 31.9-may be actually beneficial and that people with BMI between 24 and 31.9 could actually live longer than normal weight or underweight persons
The degree to which a person is overweight is generally described by Body Mass Index. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 or more, thus it includes pre-obesity defined as a BMI between 25 and 30 and obesity as defined by a BMI of 30 or more.[3][4] Pre obese and overweight however are often used interchangeably thus giving overweight a common definition of a BMI of between 25 -30. There are however several other common ways to measure the amount of adiposity or fat present in an individual's body.
* Body Mass Index
The Body Mass Index, or BMI is a measure of a person's weight taking into account their height. It is given by the formula: BMI equals a person's weight (mass) in kilograms divided by the square of the person's height in metres. Their units therefore are kg/m2 but BMI measures are typically used and written without units.
BMI provides a significantly more accurate representation of body fat content than simply measuring a person's weight. It is highly correlated with both body fat percentage and body fat mass.[5] It does not take into account certain factors such as pregnancy or bodybuilding; however, the BMI is an accurate reflection of fat percentage in the majority of the adult population.
* Body Volume Index
The Body Volume Index (BVI) was devised in 2000 as a computer, rather than manual measurement of the human body for obesity and an alternative to the Body Mass Index (BMI)
BVI uses 3D software to create an accurate 3D image of a person so BVI can differentiate between people with the same BMI rating, but who have a different shape and different weight distribution.
BVI measures where a person’s weight and the fat are located on the body, rather than total weight or total fat content and places emphasis on the weight carried around the abdomen, commonly known as central obesity. There has been an acceptance in recent years that abdominal fat and weight around the abdomen constitute a greater health risk.
* Simple Weighing
The person's weight is measured and compared to an estimated ideal weight. This is the easiest and most common method, but by far the least accurate, as it only measures one quantity (weight) and often does not take into account many factors such as height, body type, and relative amount of muscle mass.
* Skinfold Calipers or "pinch test"
The skin at several specific points on the body is pinched and the thickness of the resulting fold is measured. This measures the thickness of the layers of fat located under the skin, from which a general measurement of total amount of fat in the body is calculated. This method can be reasonably accurate for many people, but it does assume particular patterns for fat distribution over the body which may not apply to all individuals, and does not account for fat deposits which may not be directly under the skin. Also, as the measurement and analysis generally involves a high degree of practice and interpretation, for an accurate result it must be performed by a professional and cannot generally be done by patients themselves.
* Bioelectrical impedance analysis
A small electrical current is passed through the body to measure its electrical resistance. As fat and muscle conduct electricity differently, this method can provide a direct measurement of the body fat percentage, in relation to muscle mass. In the past, this technique could only be performed reliably by trained professionals with specialized equipment, but it is now possible to buy home testing kits which allow people to do this themselves with a minimum of training. Despite the improved simplicity of this process over the years, however, there are a number of factors which can affect the results, including hydration and body temperature, so it still needs some care when taking the test to ensure that the results are accurate.
* Hydrostatic Weighing
Considered one of the more accurate methods of measuring body fat, this technique involves complete submersion of a person in water, with special equipment to measure the person's weight while submerged. This weight is then compared with "dry weight" as recorded outside the water to determine overall body density. As fat is less dense than muscle, careful application of this technique can provide a reasonably close estimate of fat content in the body. This technique does, however, require expensive specialized equipment and trained professionals to administer it properly.
* DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry)
Originally developed to measure bone density, DEXA imaging has also come to be used as a precise way to determine body fat content by using the density of various body tissues to identify which portions of the body are fat. This test is generally considered to be very accurate, but requires a great deal of expensive medical equipment and trained professionals to perform.
The most common method for discussing this subject and the one used primarily by researchers and advisory institutions is BMI. Definitions of what is considered to be overweight vary by ethnicity. The current definition proposed by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) designates whites, Hispanics and blacks with a BMI of 25 or more as overweight. For Asians, overweight is a BMI between 23 and 29.9 and obesity for all groups is a BMI of 30 or more.
BMI, however, does not account extremes of muscle mass, some rare genetic factors, the very young, and a few other individual variations. Thus it is possible for an individuals with a BMI of less than 25 to have excess body fat, while others may have a BMI that is significantly higher without falling into this category.[7] Some of the above methods for determining body fat are more accurate than BMI but come with added complexity.
If an individual is overweight and has excess body fat it could, but won't always, create or lead to health risks. Reports are surfacing, however, that being mildly overweight to slightly obese-BMI being between 24 and 31.9-may be actually beneficial and that people with BMI between 24 and 31.9 could actually live longer than normal weight or underweight persons
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