Excessive body fat has been demonstrated to be associated with such health-related problems as coronary artery disease, hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obstructive pulmonary disease and osteoarthritis. Too little fatness, as seen in individuals with eating disorders, exercise addition, and certain diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, can also lead to serious physiological dysfunction (Heyward & Stolarczyk, 1996) .

We use the practical the skinfold (SKF) method for the assessment of body composition; as well as a simple tape measures to determine limb girths.

7 Practical reasons why we asses body composition.

1, To identify the client’s health risk associated with excessively low or high levels of total fat
2. To identify the client’s health risk associated with excessive accumulation of intra-abdominal fat
3. To promote the client’s understanding of health risks associated with too little or too much body fat
4. To assess the effectiveness of nutrition and exercise interventions in altering body composition
5. To estimate ideal body weight of clients and athletes
6. To formulate dietary recommendations and exercise prescriptions
7. To monitor growth, development, maturation, and age-related changes in body composition

See example below of evaluation.