Body positivity faces a shift in focus

The current trend in beauty standards is increasingly favoring muscular, slim, and hairless bodies, with plus-size models no longer prominent on runways. This shift coincides with renewed criticism of body fat, as seen in media and the popularity of anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic.

Scientific importance of body fat

According to Elif Oral, an endocrinologist at the University of Michigan, body fat is crucial for biological functions. It acts as an energy reserve, storing excess calories as lipids in fat cells, which can be released when energy is needed, especially during times of food scarcity.

Functions of body fat

Body fat serves multiple roles, including insulation, maintaining body temperature, and producing hormones like leptin. Leptin informs the brain that energy stores are sufficient, and its absence can lead to the brain prioritizing essential functions over others, as noted in a BBC article.

Effects of extreme energy conservation

In situations of severe energy restriction, the body reduces its basal metabolism to conserve energy. This can lead to weakened defenses, muscle breakdown for energy, and halted bone regeneration, as the body prioritizes survival functions.

Body fat percentages in athletes

Healthy men are said to have 10 to 20 percent body fat, while healthy women have 20 to 29 percent. However, elite athletes may have lower levels, with one study finding a man with 10 percent and a woman with 16 percent, surprising participants who believed their body fat was much lower.