There are many measures of health. Many physicians are mainly looking at BMI – body mass index – and that is number calculated based on height and weight. It has many shortcomings, especially because it does not take into account that lean muscle mass weighs more than fat, giving a high BMI which is considered bad.

Understanding Fat Types

Body fat is one of the most talked about subjects. There are different types of fat in the body, and different places fat tends to occur. Two types of fat are in the body, brown fat and white fat. The brown fat is highly vascularized, is found in the neck and shoulder regions in adults, and tends to burn energy as well as help in body temperature regulation. There is also indication that this type of fat helps control the body’s triglycerides and cholesterol, and may reduce atherosclerosis. The most common fat in the body is the white fat, this is the stuff in the belly and is the majority of the “flab” we have. The fat in the abdomen and around the internal organs as well as in the liver all lead to increased risk for disease and illness.

Being healthy means getting regular physical activity. It does not need to be done in prolonged blocks at a gym; it just needs to add up over a day. Sitting on the couch, not moving or sitting at a desk all day long does not get the muscles moving or the body the needed activity. Incidental activity is also important. Get up and walk around the house, tinker in the garage or do some household cleaning, as all this is moves muscles and is healthy for the body.

Movement slowly adds up, and people who work in large department stores often note that their fitness trackers indicate that they do over 10,000 steps a day just at the job. As a physician, walking around the office often adds 4-5,000 steps to my day. The benefit of activity is that it promotes stable blood sugars, blood pressure, cholesterol level, and helps maintain lean muscle mass and body composition. Medical studies have shown the incidental activity of people is just as beneficial in maintaining good health, as is the vigorous activity in a gym.

Improving Your Health

It is clear that if you want to improve your health, it is dependent on your daily actions. Regular physical activity throughout the day is one of the best places to start. Other important factors include eating a healthy diet, reducing stress, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding tobacco and electronic cigarettes. Good habits and physical activity help one feel stronger and better, and all these things can be done by anyone, including those with chronic medical conditions.