Body Composition (Body Mass Index)

Body composition (body mass index, BMI) is a method used to quantify the percentage of each body component as it constitutes the whole. There are numerous ways to divide the body's components, but the most common method is to divide the body into fat mass and lean body mass (bone, muscle, blood, organs). Alternatively, the body can be divided into water, protein, carbohydrate (glycogen), minerals, and fat. More detailed divisions such as these are most often used for research purposes. Differing body compositions explain why ...