No matter how much weight you need to lose -- 5 percent or 50 percent of your body fat -- it makes sense to lose the pounds slowly. For a healthy rate of weight loss, follow a diet that helps you lose about 1 lb. a week, combined with exercise that burns off an additional ½ lb. to 1 lb. a week.
Bodybuilders follow a strict eating regimen that packs high amounts of lean protein, carbohydrates and healthy monounsaturated fats. These competitors consume meals every two to three hours to fuel their bodies for training and...
Dietary fats are essential for human health. In addition to supplying energy, they help your body maintain healthy skin and hair and absorb fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamins A and D. Not all fats affect your wellness posi...
Similarly, a low body fat percentage may mean you're not getting enough food which could lead to fatigue. Body fat percentages are often measured as body mass index or BMI. However, there's no single healthy body fat percentage...
While this high-fat meal may be a tasty start to the day, you may wonder whether it has any place in a healthy diet. Making healthier choices when you have bacon and eggs is one option, but you may be surprised to learn that th...
Your bones and teeth account for 99 percent of the calcium in your body, and your bones become a source of calcium for other functions if you fail to get enough from your diet. However, meeting your calcium needs is fairly easy...
Many teen girls and guys want to know whether they're at a healthy body weight. The answer isn't as simple as you may think. Although no single body weight is perfect for all teens, you can take some simple steps to assess whet...
The one characteristic all lipids share -- they all repel water, making them hydrophobic molecules. Some lipids, such as saturated fats and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, negatively impact the body, while others serve nec...
Having a healthy body fat is important because there are many healthy risks associated with having excessive amounts of fat on the body. However, body fat is absolutely necessary to have for your body to function properly. Unde...
A balanced diet, emphasizing nutrient-dense foods such as fruit, vegetables, beans, lean proteins, fat-free dairy products, whole grains and nuts, is most likely to provide all the nutrients you need. Fat, carbohydrates and pro...
Eating proper amounts of fiber can offer numerous health benefits, and any health professional will likely tell you eating fiber-rich foods forms a cornerstone of a healthy diet. Fiber-rich foods also offer numerous other healt...
A healthy body requires a healthy diet and exercise. The body requires nutrients to prevent diseases, reduce the symptoms of diseases and to keep every system in the body running smoothly. Eating a variety of healthy whole food...
Your body fat percentage is the amount of fat you have in relation to lean tissue, such as muscle. Body fat is measured in a range because healthy levels vary by individual. Other factors, including gender, age and ethnicity al...
Although you cannot lose fat in only one area of your body, you can give your chest a flatter appearance by decreasing your total body fat percentage. Combine targeted chest workouts with a total-body circuit-training routine a...
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol helps clear the arteries of excess cholesterol by picking it up and delivering it to the liver for disposal. While LDL has been called the "bad" cholesterol, HDL is known as the "go...
However, this isn't the only important number when it comes to gauging healthy body composition. Your weight can be one indicator of possible health problems, but your body fat percentage can be an even more revealing number. M...
A healthy body sets the stage for your day-to-day well-being and how well you will age. Maintaining fitness through good nutrition and exercise promotes efficient circulation, digestion and musculoskeletal strength. This allows...
Being overweight or obese can result in type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and stroke. If you are underweight because you are not eating enough, you might not be obtaining enough nutrients for your bod...
Healthy smoothies can provide a nutritious and convenient meal or snack option when you do not have a lot of time to sit down and eat. Full of raw fruits and vegetables, smoothies offer vitamins and minerals that are bioavailab...
Many of these diets claim their own distinct method for jump-starting weight reduction or increase. However, before dieting to either gain or lose weight, you need to know what the average healthy body weight for someone of you...
If you are overweight, you can still minimize the risks of serious health consequences, such as an insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and hypertension. However, fat tissue is not a dormant storage depot...
Nutrients serve a variety of important functions and most share a common characteristic: they are essential for life. Choosing the most important nutrients is like choosing between air and water--humans need them both. If it is...
Unsaturated fats that consist of either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated types, as well as short-chain and medium-chain saturated fats are not only healthy for you, but some are considered essential, meaning that the body can...
Building a healthy body means so much more than reaching a healthy weight or improving your muscle tone. When you follow a balanced fitness regimen, you improve your heart health and reduce disease risk, and you stay strong and...
These types of nutrients derived from whole foods are required to build and repair cells and tissues, maintain organ and bone health, and provide energy and fuel for the body to use. The most important nutrients required for a ...
With the proliferation of dollar menus and value menus, choosing a fast food outlet over a restaurant with nutritious choices or a home-cooked meal may seem like a thrifty economical decision. Yet, it is fiscal responsibility w...
There is no single healthy body fat percentage; instead, there are healthy ranges based on your height and weight. According to TeensHealth, teens may gain weight rapidly because the amounts of fat, muscle and bones are changin...
One of those factors is your sex. Men have lower body fat than women. While a woman with a body fat percentage of up to 31 percent is considered healthy, a man with the same amount of fat would fall into the overweight category.
A healthy body not only is free of illness but capable of performing at a high level of functionality. You can assess your body's health by measurements, lab tests, examinations and performance evaluations but ultimately your a...
A high percentage of fat mass puts you at risk for developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Your body fat percentage is influenced by age and gender. There are specific guidelines in place for a healthy body fat percen...
There are six major classifications of nutrients; water, carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. In order for the body to utilize these nutrients, it needs to convert food into energy and substances for growth and ...
There are several ways to benefit from a healthy body; some are long-term benefits and some are short-term. A healthy body has a strong immune system that works in an optimal manner. Spending small amounts of money to feed your...
Along with wearing the right clothes and having a stylish hairstyle, most teens are also concerned about their weight. Before determining healthy body weights for teens, you must carefully consider a variety of factors.
No one action taken before pregnancy will guarantee a healthy pregnancy, but taking certain precautions and adopting a healthy lifestyle can increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Preparing your body for pregnancy involv...
A poor diet, lack of exercise and general care can cause your health to decline. In order to maintain a healthy body, you need to be vigilant about caring for yourself. On the other hand, if you want to become healthier, implem...
They may also reduce your risk of some top causes of death in the United States -- including heart disease, cancer, stroke and physical injury. And the sooner you begin, the sooner you will reap the benefits of having a healthy...
Polyunsaturated fat is a healthy fat that comes from plant-based foods and fish. It is a liquid at room temperature. Polyunsaturated fat is part of every cell and plays many roles in your body in the promotion of health and pre...
Healthy habits improve your overall physical condition and even your outlook on life. Taking good care of yourself can increase your confidence, energy levels and mood. Poor habits can significantly harm your health, by increas...
Caffeine is a potent stimulant of the central nervous system that is present in many different beverages. Caffeine is safe when consumed in moderation, but consuming caffeine in high levels or on a regular basis can lead to unp...
Maintaining a healthy weight is important to overall health. Healthy body size is associated with lower risk of a long list of diseases and health conditions, as well as increased energy, endurance and well-being. However, dete...
Have a party and serve plenty of guacamole made of avocados -- the days of the low-fat diet are over. As it turns out, not all fats are bad; in fact, they're an essential part of a healthy diet. There are good fats and bad fats...
While they're good for calculating your overall weight, scales can't distinguish between lean mass -- that is, your muscles, bones and organs -- and fat, says the Alive website. The best way to gauge your muscle mass is to meas...
A healthy body weight is the weight most comfortable to your body when eating correctly and exercising, according to the University of Michigan Health Systems. Carrying the correct weight for your body frame can help you live a...
The Body Mass Index, a measure of body composition, can determine whether a girl is overweight. Although a girl's BMI is not exactly the same as her body fat percentage, researchers often extrapolate fat percentages using the B...
The health of your body is priceless. Having a healthy body can give you more strength and energy to reach your goals and to enjoy life. When you are healthy, your immune system can resist certain types of diseases and illnesse...
Too often, the term "thin" is used interchangeably with the word "healthy." The truth is, just because you're slender doesn't automatically mean you have a healthy body. While being thin can be as much poor diet and genetics as...
In today's world of processed food, entertainment that can keep you on the couch all day and an abundance of different food choices, it's easy to look in the mirror one day and decide you don't like the way you look or feel. Kn...
Keeping your body healthy and in the best shape possible does require some work, but many activities that will help are simple to do and maintain from anywhere and at any age. If you have a medical condition that impacts your a...
Putting healthy food into your body and exercising are key healthy body ingredients, along with avoiding risky behaviors and activities. The Federal Citizen Information Center reports that some of the leading causes of death in...
Most people gain 1 or 2 lb. a year, according to Harvard School of Public Health. As you get older, it becomes more difficult to fight weight gain as your metabolism slows down and you lose muscle mass. However, difficult doesn...
While it is a well-accepted guideline that you should aim to lose no more than 1 to 2 lbs. per week, body fat percentage loss has not been as well studied and no official guidelines exist. However, the American Council on Exerc...
Having a healthy body can lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and other serious conditions caused by obesity. Consult your doctor about your caloric needs before beginning any diet or exercise regimen. He can reco...
It's difficult to find a woman's magazine without an article discussing ways to lose weight or ways to prevent weight gain. While the focus does sell magazines, it is also important information for readers because maintaining a...
The majority of human body weight is from water. It is essential for human life -- water is a co-factor in all chemical reactions that occur in the body. Accordingly, basal water percentages do not vary much without a serious c...
While fat intake is important for the growth and development of children, choosing healthy fats and ensuring that fat does not constitute a majority of your child's diet are important considerations. As fat is high in calories,...
Having a healthy body can reduce your chance of developing a serious disease and may increase your endurance and flexibility. Keeping your body healthy involves regular exercise, healthy eating and making smart lifestyle choice...
According to the Mayo Clinic, acid is a naturally occurring by-product of the breakdown of fats, and your body balances the acidity with buffers, which are alkaline or basic in nature. The process is complex and healthy body pH...
You can maintain or develop a healthy body with regular physical activity and dietary practices that provide the body with enough nutrients that supply energy and maintain strong fighting systems. Control your weight by gettin...
An unhealthy body composition -- caused by excessively high or low body fat -- dramatically increases your risk for weight-related health issues such as diabetes and heart disease, as stated by the American Council on Exercise....
If you're constantly on the go, staying healthy can be a challenge. You also might find it difficult to keep up with the latest medical and nutritional findings. Good health, however, boils down to eating right, exercising and ...
Staying healthy takes effort and requires a lifestyle that encourages good eating habits, exercise and a positive mental outlook. According to the Federal Citizen Information Center of Pueblo, Colorado, maintaining and improvin...
Good health habits can add up to 14 years to your life, according to Cambridge University. A healthy body, however, reflects a healthy lifestyle -- in other words, it's what you do every day that matters most. Fortunately, the ...
It's quite common in nature and can be found either on its own or in combination with other molecules of glucose or other monosaccharides in larger sugar and starch compounds. Your body processes glucose through a series of che...
In 2007, WCRF collaborated with the American Institute for Cancer Research to update a previous report on recommendations for diet and lifestyle to prevent cancer.
Though nuts are small, they contain many nutrients. Eating nuts as part of a balanced diet promotes cardiovascular health. As stated on the Harvard Medical School website, the healthy fats and fatty acids found in nuts, from ha...
Your body requires water to perform basic functions, such as transporting fluids and gases throughout your body and maintaining your body's temperature. If you over- or undershoot the amount of water you need to consume each da...
Body fat percentage represents the amount of fat contributing to total body weight and indicates fitness level. Due to age differences, teenagers and adults follow different body fat recommendations. Knowing healthy body fat ra...
Obesity is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol and even some forms of cancer. Excess body weight makes it more challenging for your body to function properly internally and makes...
However, not all fats are created equal. According to HelpGuide.org, incorporating healthy fats promotes healthy cells, nerves, lungs and digestion as well as supports immune system and brain health. Getting these types of fat ...
The perfect body weight is dependent on many factors such as age, gender, frame size, level of activity and even genetics. The ideal body weight lowers many health risks. Several methods can be used to calculate a healthy body ...
Runners are always looking for a competitive edge. While the right gear and training plan can boost you to run faster, maintaining a healthy body fat percentage can help you win in ways that last way beyond the finish line high...
There is no single healthy body fat percentage that applies to all teens, but you can find a healthy weight range based on your height and gender if you take some measurements and discuss your results with your doctor.
In addition, children experience growth spurts at different paces, and healthy weight is related to height more than to age. Doctors use a height-to-weight ratio as a starting point to screen for weight problems, but they also ...
There are many ways to get a reasonably accurate gauge on total body fat, including skin-fold tests and density measurements. These can be used to determine the appropriate and healthy amount of body fat.
The good news is that only 14 percent of American women over age 18 are in fair or poor health. The bad news is that 35 percent of women 20 years or older are obese and 33 percent have hypertension. Obesity and high blood press...
While you need some fat to survive, excess fat will leave you at risk for heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. Understanding the process used to measure body fat and the meaning...
Your body uses fat to provide warmth, protect your organs and occasionally provide energy in the event of food being unavailable. However, having an excess of body fat is not healthy, and can lead to many additional health prob...
Body fat is used for energy, protection of your organs, and thermal regulation. Possessing too much or too little body fat can be detrimental to your health. Maintaining a healthy percentage of body fat can help you maintain...
This is a growing epidemic that has been rapidly increasing over the course of several decades. Knowing your proper weight and attaining that weight will provide many health benefits, including a healthy heart, longer life expe...
With childhood obesity tripling over the past 30 years, focusing on increasing activity levels and healthy eating practices is vital. Children who are overweight or obese can face a host of health problems, such as type 2 diab...
Women naturally have a greater percentage of body fat than men and usually weigh less, but body shape and size are only a couple of the variety of factors that can determine whether a woman is at a healthy weight or not.
Body image is the way we feel about our bodies and the way we think others perceive us, according to About-Face, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy body image among women. Women are bombarded with images of...
Most people know about how much they weigh, but few can give an accurate estimate when it comes to their body fat percentage. Just being overweight does not necessarily mean that you are overfat, just as being lightweight doesn...
Body composition is the overall make-up of your body. It encompasses muscle, bone, tendons, ligaments and fat tissue. According to authors Don Rainy and Tinker Murray in their book "Foundations of Personal Fitness," body compos...
Maximizing performance also requires reaching the best strength-to-weight ratio possible. That is achieved by minimizing body fat. To run your best while staying healthy and safe, try to reach and maintain a healthy body fat pe...
Body fat percentage is the amount of fat mass a person has in proportion to his entire body weight. Healthy body fat percentage recommendations are based on a person's age and sex, but do not take activity levels or body type i...
That percentage differs depending on your sex, age and activity level. The low end of the range is the amount of fat you should have for your bodily systems to function and for your body to stay warm, and the high end of the ra...
A balanced body is one that is healthy from the inside out. This includes cardiovascular capacity, muscle tone and an appropriate amount of body fat. In order to achieve a balanced body, a person must engage in regular cardiova...
While it is important to maintain a healthy weight, the scale only gives you part of the picture. You can be thin but still have high blood pressure and cholesterol. Another piece of the puzzle is your body fat percentage. This...
Your body fat percentage represents how much of your total body weight is represented by fat. Body fat testing--also called body composition testing--is one of the many ways to measure your overall fitness level. While some bod...
Body fat percentage measures your body's composition by taking into account the percent of your weight that is made up of fat versus lean body mass. Lean muscles take up less space than fat, creating a more toned and fit look. ...
Because obesity puts you at risk for a host of health problems, most parents want to help their children maintain a healthy weight and body fat percentage. Understanding what qualifies as a healthy body fat percentage for boys ...
Whether you're underweight or overweight, your goal should be to find your healthy body weight and adjust your current weight accordingly. Being obese or overweight has serious health consequences, including increased risk of h...
