Human body weight: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 02:44, 11 December 2024

Overview of human body weight

Human body weight refers to the mass or weight of a person. It is measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb) and is an important indicator of health and well-being. Body weight is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, diet, physical activity, and overall health.

Measurement

Body weight is typically measured using a scale. In medical settings, accurate measurement is crucial for assessing health status, calculating BMI, and determining appropriate medication dosages. The

File:Broselowtape.JPG

Broselow tape used for pediatric emergency care

is an example of a tool used to estimate body weight in children based on their height.

Factors Influencing Body Weight

Several factors can influence an individual's body weight:

Genetics: Genetic makeup can affect metabolism, fat distribution, and the propensity to gain or lose weight.
Diet: Caloric intake and nutritional quality of food can significantly impact body weight.
Physical Activity: Regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight by burning calories and building muscle.
Health Conditions: Conditions such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, and eating disorders can affect body weight.
Medications: Some medications can lead to weight gain or loss as a side effect.

Health Implications

Maintaining a healthy body weight is important for overall health. Both underweight and overweight individuals may face health challenges. Being underweight can lead to malnutrition, weakened immune function, and osteoporosis, while being overweight or obese increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Body Weight and Genetics

Research, such as that conducted by the

File:Estonian Biobank of the Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu

Estonian Biobank

, has shown that genetics play a significant role in determining body weight. Studies of twins and families have demonstrated that body weight is heritable, with estimates suggesting that 40-70% of the variation in body weight is due to genetic factors.

Also see

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-Human body weight refers to a person's mass or weight, a fundamental aspect of human biology, health, and fitness. The measurement of body weight provides important information about a person's nutritional status, risk for chronic diseases, and overall health.
+{{Short description|Overview of human body weight}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-== Measurement Units ==
+'''Human body weight''' refers to the mass or weight of a person. It is measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb) and is an important indicator of health and well-being. Body weight is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, diet, physical activity, and overall health.
-Body weight is primarily measured in kilograms (kg), a unit of mass, throughout the world, especially in countries that use the metric system. However, in some countries like the United States, body weight is typically measured in pounds (lb). In the United Kingdom, body weight is often recorded in stones and pounds, where one stone is equivalent to 14 pounds. Despite the use of pounds and stones in daily life, most healthcare institutions globally, including those in the United States, use kilograms for medical calculations and documentation.
+==Measurement==
+Body weight is typically measured using a scale. In medical settings, accurate measurement is crucial for assessing health status, calculating [[Body Mass Index|BMI]], and determining appropriate medication dosages. The [[File:Broselowtape.JPG|thumb|Broselow tape used for pediatric emergency care]] is an example of a tool used to estimate body weight in children based on their height.
-== Factors Influencing Body Weight ==
+==Factors Influencing Body Weight==
+Several factors can influence an individual's body weight:
-Several factors can influence an individual's body weight, including genetic predisposition, diet, physical activity level, age, sex, muscle mass, and overall health status. Certain medical conditions and medications can also lead to weight gain or weight loss.
+* '''Genetics''': Genetic makeup can affect metabolism, fat distribution, and the propensity to gain or lose weight.
+* '''Diet''': Caloric intake and nutritional quality of food can significantly impact body weight.
+* '''Physical Activity''': Regular exercise can help maintain a healthy weight by burning calories and building muscle.
+* '''Health Conditions''': Conditions such as [[hypothyroidism]], [[Cushing's syndrome]], and [[eating disorders]] can affect body weight.
+* '''Medications''': Some medications can lead to weight gain or loss as a side effect.
-== Health Implications ==
+==Health Implications==
+Maintaining a healthy body weight is important for overall health. Both underweight and overweight individuals may face health challenges. Being underweight can lead to malnutrition, weakened immune function, and osteoporosis, while being overweight or obese increases the risk of [[cardiovascular disease]], [[type 2 diabetes]], and certain types of cancer.
-Body weight, when considered with other measurements such as height (to calculate Body Mass Index or BMI), waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, can help assess a person's risk for health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Both underweight and overweight conditions can be associated with health risks.
+==Body Weight and Genetics==
+Research, such as that conducted by the [[File:Estonian Biobank of the Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu|thumb|Estonian Biobank]], has shown that genetics play a significant role in determining body weight. Studies of twins and families have demonstrated that body weight is heritable, with estimates suggesting that 40-70% of the variation in body weight is due to genetic factors.
-== Management of Body Weight ==
+==Also see==
+* [[Body Mass Index]]
+* [[Obesity]]
+* [[Nutrition]]
+* [[Physical exercise]]
+* [[Metabolism]]
-Maintaining a healthy body weight involves balancing energy intake (calories consumed) with energy expenditure (calories burned). This is often achieved through a combination of a balanced diet and regular physical activity. In some cases, medication or surgery may be recommended to assist with weight management.
+{{Human body}}
-{{stub}}
+{{Health}}
-[[Category:Human weight]]
-[[Category:Physical quantities]]
+[[Category:Human body]]
-[[Category:Physiology]]
+[[Category:Health]]
-[[Category:Nutrition]]
+[[Category:Weight management]]