Women With Excess Body Fat at Risk For Inflammation

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Think you’re safe from obesity-related conditions because your BMI is normal? You might want to look at your percentage of body fat. An Italian study was recently conducted in Rome, where it followed 60 Italian women aged 20 – 35. Twenty of the women were overweight or obese according to their BMI, twenty were at a normal weight with body fat over 30 percent, and twenty were at a normal weight with a healthy amount of body fat (less than 30 percent, which is considered best for women).

When they took blood samples, the overweight group of women had the highest amount of inflammatory chemicals and LDL cholesterol, but surprisingly, the “overfat” women also had high levels.

The fat in our body releases inflammatory chemicals, and excess amounts – such as in a person who is overfat – can contribute to heart disease. Our body fat increases as we age, since muscle breaks down over the years and our metabolism slows down. Obtaining your body fat percentage and monitoring it may be key for a long, healthy life.

There are different ways to measure body fat, such as underwater weighing, skinfold calipers, or bioelectrical impedance, which is available for many bathroom scales. However, body fat measured by BIA can be affected by hydration level, caffeine, and many other factors. It’s best to measure at the same time each day to ensure consistent readings.

So if you’re at a normal body weight, you may still not be as healthy as you could. Make sure to get regular blood tests measuring your cholesterol and triglycerides, and exercise regularly – it’s one of the most effective known ways to lose body fat.