About Body Fat

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By Melissa Townsend
eHow Contributing Writer

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Body fat is often thought of as a necessary evil. Most people emphasize excess fat and obesity, the harmful effects of having too much of a good thing. But the truth is also that humans wouldn't be able to survive without a certain percentage of body fat.
We have two types of fat and they have specific functions and benefits. To be healthy, strike the balance between having too little and too much fat.

Identification

Body fat is also called adipose tissue. It is the body's way to store energy. Everyone also has essential fat cells that are needed for all the bodily systems to work. When a person has too much adipose tissue, this is referred to as obesity. In women, a normal body fat percentage is between 21 and 35 percent, depending on age. For men, normal is between eight and 24 percent, depending on age.

Types

There are two main types of adipose tissue used in the body. The main type is white fat, which is what was discussed above. White fat is used to store energy, insulate and wrap around the organs and muscles.
The other type of body fat is brown fat, which has smaller cells than white. This is found in newborn babies, mostly to help keep in heat. Because babies have little stored body fat when they're born, the brown fat is used instead and slowly goes away as the baby gets older. In adults, brown fat comprise a very small percentage of overall body fat.

Function

Body fat helps store energy for the body to use. It also acts as insulation and protection. This same type of fat occurs around organs, muscles and bone marrow naturally because it is important in the normal functioning of all these systems.
A certain amount of body fat is necessary for the endocrine system as well--this type produces hormones that keep the body running. Fat also allows vitamins A, D, E and K to be absorbed and move through the bloodstream.

Benefits

Storing body fat allows the body to consume calories even after the carbohydrates have all been used. This was more beneficial in the past, when food was more scarce. This type of tissue also keeps hair and skin healthy for humans. Studies have shown that body fat around thighs, hips and buttocks may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Being in the healthy body fat percentage range keeps humans healthy and lean.

Warning

Too much body fat is often the result of overeating or lack of proper exercise. Obesity can cause heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes and can decrease a person's life expectancy. Studies have shown that excess body fat can decrease life expectancy by six or seven years. Diabetes is common in people who are obese because it can change the way the body responds to insulin and actually can create resistance to insulin.