Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Paddy Landau on 26/07/2010 17:58:06

Title: What is the comparative weight of muscle and fat in humans?
Post by: Paddy Landau on 26/07/2010 17:58:06

I've searched this question at length on the Internet -- How much heavier is muscle than fat (in humans)?

Mostly, I've found the bizarre comment, "Muscle and fat weight the same, because a pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat weighs the same as a pound of feathers."

Well sophistry aside, most people know that muscle weighs more than fat (for the same volume, obviously!). But how much more?

I've read various figures, including four times, three times, twice as much, 20% more, 18% more and 16% more. The most believable that I've read is 1.07 g/ml for muscle and 0.91 g/ml for fat (making muscle about 17.6% heavier).

But none of the answers that I found shows a link to any source of information, so I don't know which, if any, is correct.

Do you know the answer? And can you point me to a reputable source of this information?

TIA

Title: What is the comparative weight of muscle and fat in humans?
Post by: RD on 27/07/2010 16:06:06

apparently human fat is less dense than water ...

Title: What is the comparative weight of muscle and fat in humans?
Post by: Paddy Landau on 27/07/2010 16:14:24

Quote from: RD on 27/07/2010 16:06:06

apparently human fat is less dense than water ...

That was funny.

You're right, fat floats in water and muscle sinks (so I've been told).

But it doesn't answer the question...