The Fat Free Mass Index, FFMI, is a measurement used to identify a person's physical composition, less whatever portion of his body is unessential fat. The Lean Body Mass Index, LBMI, is a similar measurement that also removes extracellular fluid and skeletal volume from the outcome. Both ratios are useful in determining certain factors about the human body.
Lean Body Mass
A substantial loss of lean body mass can identify a number of adverse physiological conditions. Some common causes of sudden LBM reduction are disease, malnutrition and a deterioration of lean tissue correlated with aging known as sarcopenia. Muscle loss associated with aging, however, can be severely slowed depending on an individual's level of activity. Highly restrictive diets, or those which almost eliminate protein intake, can trigger the body's starvation response. This means that the body will begin breaking down muscle for energy, instead of taking it naturally from food, resulting in a deficiency in LBM.
Fitness Considerations
A person's fat free mass can be a better indicator of fitness than weight. An individual who remains physically active can sustain or build volume while keeping her accumulation of fat at bay. Those who exercise regularly and are involved in strength training may lose fat while experiencing an actual increase in weight. This is because muscle is heavier that fat. For this reason, determining your FFM can be key in charting your movement toward personal fitness goals.
Testing
Figuring out your LBM is a multi-step process. Start by determining your body fat percentage. One way to do this is by using a pair of body fat calipers. This is a testing tool that determines fat percentage by gripping a fold of skin between two adjustable rods. However, it takes a certain amount of skill to operate and read a set of calipers properly. It might be best to seek the assistance of a qualified clinician to measure and interpret your body fat percentage. Once you have a fat count, subtract this percentage from the number 100. Multiply your result by .01. Multiply this number by your current weight, in pounds, and the answer will be the number of pounds that you can attribute to lean muscle.
Health Implications
Determining your fat free mass will, consequentially, inform you of what percentage of your total weight is derived from fat. This information will identify whether you have a healthy fat count for your age and gender. Excessive fat can lead to pathological disorders such as heart disease, high blood pressure and an increased risk for diabetes.
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