Aside from health considerations, body composition can also have a direct impact on athletic performance. For example, studies have shown that world class marathon runners must strive to achieve an optimum level of body fat to be successful in their sport. Body fat content must be low enough to achieve peak athletic performance yet high enough to reduce risk of injury.

It is recommended that you be reanalyzed every six to eight weeks, especially if you have changed your diet or exercise regime.

Body Lean: 85.3% Lean Weight: 149.3 lbs LEAN BODY MASS All parts of the body exclusive of body fat - bones, organs, muscle, connective tissue, and fluids - constitute the Lean Body Mass. The higher the percentage of Lean Body Mass, the more muscular the body with a higher bone density. A more muscular body is normally considered attractive and improves athletic performance, while higher bone density can serve as protection against osteoporosis - especially in women.

Many people tend to be overweight and others gain weight as they grow older. In either case, weight gain is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, arthritis, breathing problems and other illnesses. A reduction in weight, and body fat, helps reduce risks associated with obesity. A health care professional should always be consulted about "healthy" ways to lose excess weight.

Available scientific studies also provide ample evidence that when weight is outside of the recommended range, life expectancy is decreased. The following Build and Blood Pressure Study (the National Institutes of Health) provides data for mortality in relation to weight:

Your Weight:

You are 12.0 lbs above your ideal weight.

USDA WEIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS The accompanying chart was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to define healthy weight ranges for adults. The ranges are given in the chart because people of the same height may have equal amounts of body fat but different amounts of muscle and bone. However, the ranges do not mean that it is healthy to gain weight, even within the same weight range. The higher weights in the healthiest weight range apply to people with greater muscle and bone mass. Your Weight:

THE BODY'S USE OF FOOD ENERGY
Your body receives energy from the food that is eaten. This energy is used for three basic functions: (1) To supply the basic energy required when the body is totally at rest but not sleeping; e.g. for pumping blood, breathing, keeping body temperature constant, and other quiescent functions such as thinking (called Basal Metabolic Rate, "BMR") (2) To perform all the physical activities that occur during the day including working, exercising, talking, etc. and (3) To digest food.

FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID
Most people have a choice when selecting the foods they eat. The USDA's Food Guide Pyramid provides recommendations on selecting foods that provide the proper nutrients and other substances needed for good health. The pyramid shows that foods from the grain group, along with vegetables and fruits are the basis of a healthy diet. Ideal meals contain larger servings of foods in the grain, vegetable, and fruit groups and reduced or spare servings of foods height in fat and sugars.

Choose Foods from Each of Five Food Groups The Food Guide Pyramid shows the recommended balance among food groups in a daily eating pattern. Most of the daily servings of food should be selected from the food groups that are the largest in the picture and closest to the base of the pyramid. Choose most of your calories from foods in the grain group (6-11 servings), the vegetable group (3-5 servings), and the fruit group (2-4 servings). Eat moderate amouns of foods from the dairy group (2-3 servings) and the meat and beans group (2-3 servings). Choose fewer foods high in fat and sugars (consume sparingly).