Our Body Weight

Our society has trained us to think our body weight directly reflects our health. However, body weight is complex and something about which researchers still are learning. What makes up your body weight? Much more than fat contributes to your total body weight. Water in the body and lean mass, which includes all muscle, organs and bone, is included, too. Some studies suggest that 2 to 6 pounds of body weight come from the microbiome, the bacteria lining your gut and found on your skin. Although society wants you to think everyone should have a similar number on the scale, that simply can’t be true. We all have different body shapes, and our bodies are all different sizes. The number on the scale is not your only measure of health.

Why do we have body fat? You have heard that body fat is b