WELL 175 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Gestational Diabetes, U.S. Route 117, Blood Sugar
Document Summary
The body"s relative amounts (ratio) of fat mass and fat-free mass/lean body mass (bone, water, muscle, etc) Essential body fat: is crucial body fat necessary for a myriad of normal body functions. 3-5% of total body weight in males. 8-12% of total body weight in females. Nonessential body (storage) fat: is extra fat stored in the body from excess energy obtained by food intake. The percentage of essential body fat is higher in women due to fat deposits in the breasts, uterus, and other sites. Most fat is storage in fat cells under the skin or adipose tissue (subcutaneous) and around major organs (visceral) Connects the neurons of the brain in order to communicate with each other; about two third of brain is fat. Maintains core body temperature, subcutaneous fat minimizes heat loss by insulating body heat. Surrounds and protects vital internal organs (heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, etc)