ABSTRACT
Human fat has traditionally been partitioned between essential and excess components, with females requiring greater essential levels than males to maintain optimal function and general health. The sum of these two components is commonly expressed as a percentage of total body mass, and is estimated by various levels of approach and methods of differing complexity and cost (Hawes and Martin, 2001). Adipose tissue is the storage depot for excess fat on the body, and follows a series of checks and balances between energy intake, energy expenditure through basal metabolism and movement, and thermodynamic considerations between individuals and their environment (Stewart, 2002).
