How do I interpret the BCC?
The Body Composition Chart has two axes. The Fat Mass (FM) is on the Y-axis and Fat-Free Mass (FFM) is on the X-axis. Each value is presented as an index, which means - as in the BMI - that the values are normalized by height. This allows a comparison to be made between a man who is 5 ft and a man that is 6.5 ft. Add the FMI and FFMI values together to yield the BMI.
The Body Composition Chart is a two-dimensional (or over time a three-dimensional) BMI that shows what contributes to weight loss - fat mass or muscle mass.
The center of the graphic is the statistical average for the specific patient. In this case, the fat mass is slightly below average for a man because the measurement point moves downwards from the midpoint. The Fat-Free Mass is above-average since the measurement point moves to the right of the midpoint.
![](/images/generated/orig/79/2/img10279.jpg)
Physically active obese people have both an increased FM and an increased FFM. This type of body composition is reflected in the points in the two upper right quadrants. A low FM with a simultaneous high FFM indicates an athletic body composition and a low FM with low FFM indicates a lean composition. An undesirable body composition is one with an elevated Fat Mass - obesity - along with a reduced Fat-Free Mass - muscle deterioration, referred to as sarcopenic obesity.
The Body Composition Chart is a two-dimensional (or over time a three-dimensional) BMI that shows what contributes to weight loss - fat mass or muscle mass.
The center of the graphic is the statistical average for the specific patient. In this case, the fat mass is slightly below average for a man because the measurement point moves downwards from the midpoint. The Fat-Free Mass is above-average since the measurement point moves to the right of the midpoint.
![](/images/generated/orig/79/2/img10279.jpg)
Physically active obese people have both an increased FM and an increased FFM. This type of body composition is reflected in the points in the two upper right quadrants. A low FM with a simultaneous high FFM indicates an athletic body composition and a low FM with low FFM indicates a lean composition. An undesirable body composition is one with an elevated Fat Mass - obesity - along with a reduced Fat-Free Mass - muscle deterioration, referred to as sarcopenic obesity.