What does body composition refer to?

• A. The proportion of fat mass to lean mass in the body.
• B. Total body weight.
• C. Bone mineral density.
• D. Muscle mass alone.

Answer: (B)

Body composition is about what the body is made of, especially the balance between fat mass and lean mass (which includes muscle, bone, water, and organs). The option that describes the relative amounts of fat versus lean tissue best captures this idea. Total body weight just adds up all components without showing how much is fat versus lean tissue. Bone mineral density focuses only on bones, not the overall makeup of the body. Muscle mass alone ignores fat and other lean components. So, the proportion of fat mass to lean mass is the best description of body composition.