bodymass

Body mass is the total amount of matter in a person's body, commonly referred to as body weight. It is typically measured in kilograms or pounds. In scientific and clinical contexts, body mass is distinguished from body composition, which describes the relative amounts of fat, lean tissue, bone, and fluids.

Measurement is usually conducted with a calibrated scale to determine total body mass. For health assessment, body mass is often interpreted using the body mass index (BMI), which divides mass in kilograms by height in meters squared. Other methods to assess body composition include dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), skinfold measurements, and hydrostatic weighing.

Body mass alone does not fully indicate health status. BMI, fat distribution, and lean mass are important considerations. Individuals can have similar body masses but different health risks depending on body composition and fat distribution. Monitoring changes in body mass over time is common in medical, fitness, and nutrition contexts, and is often used alongside other measures of health.

Factors influencing body mass include genetics, age, sex, hormonal status, physical activity, diet, illness, and medications. Short-term fluctuations occur due to hydration, food intake, and hormonal cycles.

Applications of body mass data span clinical assessment, nutrition planning, athletic monitoring, and epidemiological studies. Limitations include its inability to reflect fat distribution, muscle mass, or hydration status, and potential measurement errors or daily variation.