If you’re like most people, you’ve probably kept track of your weight throughout your life. However, the metric you should rely on is your body composition. Why? Your weight is merely a number on your bathroom scale. It doesn't provide an accurate picture of your body size, shape or health. What really matters is your body composition — the percentage of fat, bone, water and muscle in your body.

Body composition is your body's relative amount of body fat to fat-free mass, which includes your organs, bones, muscle and body tissue. A healthy body fat percentage should be between 18 and 28 percent for women and between 10 and 20 percent for men. A higher percentage of muscle is better. Muscle tissue is more compact and takes up less space, which is why you look smaller when you have more muscle mass. But you need some body fat for optimal health. It helps regulate body temperature, protects vital organs, absorbs shock, keeps the reproductive system functioning properly (particularly in females) and maintains healthy hair, nails and skin.

If your body composition is unhealthy, it can raise your risk of a wide range of health issues, including poor blood pressure control, sleep quality, energy levels, emotional health, blood circulation, insulin sensitivity and lung function. It also strains bones and joints. Yet body composition measurement is not part of a standard physical examination. However, it is part of the MDVIP Wellness Program.

A handful of methods exist to measure body composition. MDVIP uses a bioelectric impedance analysis scale because it’s safe, noninvasive, and quick. This scale uses electrodes that send impulses through the body to estimate body fat, muscle mass and water weight as part of the MDVIP Wellness Program. The scale can also help calculate your resting metabolic rate, a key factor in managing weight and achieving weight loss.

Here’s an example of the difference that can be made in your health when your goal is losing body fat versus body weight:

"Under the care and guidance of Dr. Wilson, I shed 30 pounds, significantly reducing my body fat. I was also able to lower my blood sugar back to a normal level. At 71 years of age, I feel these steps will keep me alive longer and enhance my quality of life in my remaining years. Regular participation in Dr. Wilson's Ride Yourself Fit cycling program has contributed immeasurably to my physical condition and stamina. I feel great and cannot remember the last time I had a cold or illness."

-- Patient of Dr. Steven Wilson’s MDVIP-affiliated practice, located in Redlands, CA

If you try to lose weight without considering body composition, you can lose muscle mass. This is a problem because waning muscle mass may reduce mobility, increase the risk of injury and impair your body’s ability to continue losing weight.

Once you know your body composition, you can work with your MDVIP-affiliated doctor to help you achieve and maintain a healthy body composition. This involves exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet with appropriate portion sizes, getting good sleep, managing stress, limiting alcohol, and, of course, receiving ongoing guidance from your MDVIP-affiliated physician.

The Importance of Measuring Your Body Composition & How Your Doctor Can Help