Obesity Not All About Appearances, Experts Say
People Who Appear Thin May Fall Into Obese Category
UPDATED: 11:28 am EDT May 25,
2004
FORT WORTH, Texas -- People tend to think of "obese" as a synonym for "extremely overweight." However, obesity can affect people who appear to be in perfect shape.
Laura Prater (pictured, left), of Fort Worth, stands as an example of a misleading fat-to-muscle ratio.
"(People say) 'You're so skinny. You're so skinny.' No, I'm not," she said.Prater submitted to a body measurement to determine her body fat percentage. The test measured three points on her body, and, to look at her, the results were surprising.Lisa Ross, an exercise specialist with Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth, administered the test. Using a caliper, Ross first measured Prater's triceps, then the area around her waist and, finally, Prater's middle thigh."Muscle is going to weigh more than fat," Ross said. "Being a leaner person is a healthier person -- less risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke."The skin-fold caliper test gauged the ratio of fat to muscle. Ross found that Prater was at 32.5 percent body fat."That is moving toward the upper end. Thirty percent or more, and you're getting toward the obese end. And you (think) she doesn't look obese. It's not all about aesthetics. It's not all about the scale. It's about that ratio."Strength training changes the ratio by increasing muscle, which burns more calories than fat. A higher muscle ratio results in a strong, lean body. Additional Resources:
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"(People say) 'You're so skinny. You're so skinny.' No, I'm not," she said.Prater submitted to a body measurement to determine her body fat percentage. The test measured three points on her body, and, to look at her, the results were surprising.Lisa Ross, an exercise specialist with Baylor All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth, administered the test. Using a caliper, Ross first measured Prater's triceps, then the area around her waist and, finally, Prater's middle thigh."Muscle is going to weigh more than fat," Ross said. "Being a leaner person is a healthier person -- less risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke."The skin-fold caliper test gauged the ratio of fat to muscle. Ross found that Prater was at 32.5 percent body fat."That is moving toward the upper end. Thirty percent or more, and you're getting toward the obese end. And you (think) she doesn't look obese. It's not all about aesthetics. It's not all about the scale. It's about that ratio."Strength training changes the ratio by increasing muscle, which burns more calories than fat. A higher muscle ratio results in a strong, lean body. Additional Resources:
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