Question

Why is some body fat essential? Provide 3 reasons (for both men and women). What is one consequence if women do not have sufficient essential body fat?  

Answer 1

Ans. Body fat is essential for following reasons-

I. Body fat serves as energy store as well in glucose homeostasis. When blood glucose is low (say, you skipped your meals or starved), the body fat hydrolyzes to produce glucose and maintain glucose homeostasis.

II. It serves as the cushioning agent for several organs and minimizes the impact of mechanical shock onto them.

III. Fat is required for the absorption of lipid soluble vitamins like vitamin D, E, K, etc.

IV. Subcutaneous acts as insulator to the body system and helps maintaining the optimum body temperature under cold conditions by minimizing heat dissipation from body.

# Body fat in women is crucial for maintaining a healthy reproductive physiology. The fat stores in females are meant to serve as energy store to compensate high energy demand during gestation period- the female body has adapted to it. So, less than the optimal body fat in young females may lead to delayed onset of menarche (first menstrual cycle). Low body fat may further lead to impairment of reproductive physiology like irregular menstrual cycles, difficulties in conceiving, fetal malformation, etc.