What is assessed by body composition?

Body composition specifically assesses the percentage of fat compared to lean body mass in an individual. This measurement provides a clearer understanding of an individual's overall health beyond just body weight alone. It takes into account not only fat mass but also lean tissues such as muscles, bones, and organs.

Understanding body composition is crucial because it helps identify the distribution of fat and lean mass, which can have significant implications for health. For example, a higher percentage of body fat, especially visceral fat (fat stored around internal organs), is associated with increased risk of various health conditions, while higher lean mass is generally indicative of better overall fitness and metabolic health.

In contrast, other choices focus on different aspects of fitness or performance and do not pertain to body composition. The number of muscles in the body does not provide information about body fat levels or overall composition. Assessing cardiovascular endurance and core strength relates specifically to physical performance rather than the proportion of fat versus lean mass, which is what body composition specifically aims to measure.