Human body weight
Human Body Weight
Human body weight refers to a person's mass or weight. Body weight is measured in kilograms, a measure of mass, throughout the world, although in some countries such as the United States it is measured in pounds, or as in the United Kingdom, stones and pounds. Most hospitals, even in the United States, now use kilograms for calculations, but use kilograms and pounds together for other purposes.
Pronunciation
- /ˈhjuːmən ˈbɒdi weɪt/
Etymology
The term "body weight" is derived from the Old English words "bodig" (body) and "gewiht" (weight). The term "human" is from the Latin "humanus", the adjective form of "homo", meaning "man".
Related Terms
Definition
Human body weight is used for biological and medical purposes to determine a person's health status. It is usually measured in kilograms or pounds. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common method used to assess whether a person has a healthy body weight.
Factors Influencing Body Weight
Several factors can influence a person's body weight, including diet, physical activity, genetics, environmental factors, and health conditions.
- Diet: The type and amount of food a person consumes can significantly affect their body weight. Consuming more calories than the body can use may lead to weight gain.
- Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy body weight by burning excess calories that may otherwise be stored as fat.
- Genetics: A person's genes may affect the amount of body fat they store, and where that fat is distributed in the body.
- Environmental Factors: Factors such as lack of access to healthy foods and safe places to exercise can contribute to weight gain.
- Health Conditions: Certain health conditions and medications can lead to weight gain.
Health Implications
Maintaining a healthy body weight is important for overall health and can help prevent and control many diseases and conditions. If a person is overweight or obese, they have a higher risk of developing serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers. On the other hand, if a person is underweight, they may be at risk for health issues such as malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, and osteoporosis.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Human body weight
- Wikipedia's article - Human body weight
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