Muscle, fat, density, weight, mass...oh my!
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rjmudlax13
Posts: 900 Member
As a mechanical engineer, I find it upsetting the lack of understanding in basic scientific principles on the forums. I know people are just going to say "get over it" or "what's the big deal?" However, if people do not understand basic science then the perpetuation of fads, misinformation and outright lies in the fitness industry will continue. As an example, one concept that comes up a lot is the difference in the density of fat and muscle.
It usually goes something like this: Someone says "muscle weighs more than fat." Another person points out this is wrong because "a pound equals a pound." This person goes on the explain that "muscle is less dense than fat." Then the arguments start about nitpicking, context, etc. Underlying all the bashing and arguing is the unfortunate reality that both "sides" usually lack a complete understanding of basic physics.
Let's break down some of these statements:
"Muscle weighs more than fat" - This statement is more incomplete than inaccurate. It's incomplete because there is no frame of reference stated. A more complete statement would be "At sea level on Earth, an equal amount of volume of muscle weighs more than an equal amount of volume of fat at the same pressure and temperature."
"Muscle is more dense (sic) than fat" - Another incomplete statement. Again, there is no frame of reference. A better statement would be: "At the same pressure and temperature, muscle is denser than fat."
"A pound equals a pound" - This one irks me because it demonstrates the root cause of the misunderstanding of the general topic. Again, it's a frame of reference problem. Unfortunately, in the English system of units, "pound" is used interchangeably between weight and mass suggesting that weight and mass is the same thing. This is a false. In the scientific and engineering fields we distinguish between mass and weight by using either lbm or lbf, respectively. One pound-mass (lbm) is a unit that measures the amount of matter in a given object. It is always the same no matter where you are. So a true statement would be "1 lbm equals 1 lbm." (There is a disclaimer here because some of these rules break down in the quantum world, but I will admit myself that I do not understand a lot of that crazy stuff). One pound-force (lbf) is a unit that measures the amount of force gravity is exerting on a mass. A true statement would be "at sea level on Earth, 1 pound-force of muscle weighs the same as 1 pound-force of fat."
Again, my goal here is not to bash people, nitpick, or try to be all pretentious. I just want people to start understanding BASIC science! If more people understand science, the lies, misinformation and deceit the diet and fitness industry tries to use on us will not work as much and we can all start having a healthier relationship with food and exercise.
I apologize in advance for what is to come next, but it needed to be said…..
Let the games begin!
It usually goes something like this: Someone says "muscle weighs more than fat." Another person points out this is wrong because "a pound equals a pound." This person goes on the explain that "muscle is less dense than fat." Then the arguments start about nitpicking, context, etc. Underlying all the bashing and arguing is the unfortunate reality that both "sides" usually lack a complete understanding of basic physics.
Let's break down some of these statements:
"Muscle weighs more than fat" - This statement is more incomplete than inaccurate. It's incomplete because there is no frame of reference stated. A more complete statement would be "At sea level on Earth, an equal amount of volume of muscle weighs more than an equal amount of volume of fat at the same pressure and temperature."
"Muscle is more dense (sic) than fat" - Another incomplete statement. Again, there is no frame of reference. A better statement would be: "At the same pressure and temperature, muscle is denser than fat."
"A pound equals a pound" - This one irks me because it demonstrates the root cause of the misunderstanding of the general topic. Again, it's a frame of reference problem. Unfortunately, in the English system of units, "pound" is used interchangeably between weight and mass suggesting that weight and mass is the same thing. This is a false. In the scientific and engineering fields we distinguish between mass and weight by using either lbm or lbf, respectively. One pound-mass (lbm) is a unit that measures the amount of matter in a given object. It is always the same no matter where you are. So a true statement would be "1 lbm equals 1 lbm." (There is a disclaimer here because some of these rules break down in the quantum world, but I will admit myself that I do not understand a lot of that crazy stuff). One pound-force (lbf) is a unit that measures the amount of force gravity is exerting on a mass. A true statement would be "at sea level on Earth, 1 pound-force of muscle weighs the same as 1 pound-force of fat."
Again, my goal here is not to bash people, nitpick, or try to be all pretentious. I just want people to start understanding BASIC science! If more people understand science, the lies, misinformation and deceit the diet and fitness industry tries to use on us will not work as much and we can all start having a healthier relationship with food and exercise.
I apologize in advance for what is to come next, but it needed to be said…..
Let the games begin!
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Replies
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or we could just let simple slips in proper language slide. nobody seems to b*tch when someone says "helium is lighter than air"0
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I apologize in advance for what is to come next, but it needed to be said…..
No, it really didn't.0 -
or we could just let simple slips in proper language slide. nobody seems to b*tch when someone says "helium is lighter than air"
You missed my point.
Why the hell do I even bother. We are doomed as a species anyway.
You're right! I'm just here to *****. You got it!
I'm just going to keep my mouth shut and let stupidity perpetuate itself.0 -
I apologize in advance for what is to come next, but it needed to be said…..
No, it really didn't.
Unfortunately, you're attitude is part of the problem.
ETA: Grammar fail. I suck at life I guess. Really hope someone points that out as a way to disqualify me.0 -
I for one think it's nice to see someone who knows the difference. I'm far from as educated as you are in the science-y fields, but it does irk me nonetheless to see these statements as well.0
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Interesting thread.0
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I for one think it's nice to see someone who knows the difference. I'm far from as educated as you are in the science-y fields, but it does irk me nonetheless to see these statements as well.
Yes. That is all I am trying to explain. You can use whatever wording you want. Personally I am fine with the statement "muscle weighs more than fat" as long as it's understood that all the parties have a good general understanding of the basic principles. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case on "both" sides of the argument.0 -
i agree, if we are going to nitpick every misuse of the english language then indeed we are f*cked. I've studied chem and physics in uni too and i have zero problem with a minor misuse of a word when assumptions can be made about equating volume. nobody thinks a pound weighs more than a poundor we could just let simple slips in proper language slide. nobody seems to b*tch when someone says "helium is lighter than air"
You missed my point.
Why the hell do I even bother. We are doomed as a species anyway.
You're right! I'm just here to *****. You got it!
I'm just going to keep my mouth shut and let stupidity perpetuate itself.
what was your point in the first place? you could pick out hundreds of words that are misused on a daily basis so why continue to point out this particular one?0 -
dude, get over it.0
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So you would prefer people to say... "at the same pressure and temperature, an equal volume of fat weighs less than an equal volume of muscle" ? You must be a killer conversationalist
To be honest I am on your side here. It bothers me a bit too, but I know what people are implying so I fill in the details myself when I hear these comments.
The muscle vs fat weight comment is not nearly as annoying as the weight lifting will make me look bulky comment.0 -
this brings up a good point, at different pressures fat could potentially be denser than muscle. so in a way, saying fat is less dense than muscle is just as inaccurate as saying muscle weighs more than fatSo you would prefer people to say... "at the same pressure and temperature, an equal volume of fat weighs less than an equal volume of muscle" ? You must be a killer conversationalist
To be honest I am on your side here. It bothers me a bit too, but I know what people are implying so I fill in the details myself when I hear these comments.
The muscle vs fat weight comment is not nearly as annoying as the weight lifting will make me look bulky comment.0 -
i agree, if we are going to nitpick every misuse of the english language then indeed we are f*cked. I've studied chem and physics in uni too and i have zero problem with a minor misuse of a word when assumptions can be made about equating volume. nobody thinks a pound weighs more than a poundor we could just let simple slips in proper language slide. nobody seems to b*tch when someone says "helium is lighter than air"
You missed my point.
Why the hell do I even bother. We are doomed as a species anyway.
You're right! I'm just here to *****. You got it!
I'm just going to keep my mouth shut and let stupidity perpetuate itself.
what was your point in the first place? you could pick out hundreds of words that are misused on a daily basis so why continue to point out this particular one?
No. We are f'ed as a species because people still believe global warming is a hoax. We are f'ed as a species because people still reject evolution. We are f'ed as a species because people still think vaccines are not necessary and cause more harm than good.
I could care less what wording people use. I've stated this multiple times. I suggest you go back and read my whole post. I will be the first one to admit that I have a horrible grasp on the English language. I suck at public speaking, but try to improve. I'm bad at writing, but try to improve.
One thing I know I am good at is engineering and science. Notice I said good. I am by no means a expert yet, but I am on my way.
When I see people arguing over the fat and muscle thing and both "sides" of the argument are demonstrating a complete lack of BASIC scientific principles I get scared. I get scared because I wonder what there understanding of global warming is. I wonder what there understanding of vaccines is. I DO NOT CARE HOW THEY SAY IT. I care about their understanding of it.0 -
So you would prefer people to say... "at the same pressure and temperature, an equal volume of fat weighs less than an equal volume of muscle" ? You must be a killer conversationalist
To be honest I am on your side here. It bothers me a bit too, but I know what people are implying so I fill in the details myself when I hear these comments.
The muscle vs fat weight comment is not nearly as annoying as the weight lifting will make me look bulky comment.
Ah yes. Ad hominem arguments. You stuck it to me I suppose.0 -
Meh, most people (I would think) understand all three statements you are "clarifying". Too me the OP doesn't really clear anything up that isn't common sense.0
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and if we didnt spend so much time arguing over simple miscommunications then maybe those problems wouldnt exist.No. We are f'ed as a species because people still believe global warming is a hoax. We are f'ed as a species because people still reject evolution. We are f'ed as a species because people still think vaccines are not necessary and cause more harm than good.
I could care less what wording people use. I've stated this multiple times. I suggest you go back and read my whole post. I will be the first one to admit that I have a horrible grasp on the English language. I suck at public speaking, but try to improve. I'm bad at writing, but try to improve.
One thing I know I am good at is engineering and science. Notice I said good. I am by no means a expert yet, but I am on my way.
When I see people arguing over the fat and muscle thing and both "sides" of the argument are demonstrating a complete lack of BASIC scientific principles I get scared. I get scared because I wonder what there understanding of global warming is. I wonder what there understanding of vaccines is. I DO NOT CARE HOW THEY SAY IT. I care about their understanding of it.
i did read your whole post, but it comes back to the same thing. like i said before, nobody thinks a pound weighs more than a pound unless they have the mental capacity of a basketball. its just unnecessary drabbling at this point. is stating the difference between weight and density really going to fix any of the problems you mentioned?
edited to remove the wall of quotes0 -
To add to this as a linguist:
The reason why the incomplete statement "muscle weighs more than fat." Is understood by pretty much anyone even though no frame of reference is given is because of implication. Implication is an important part of human communication.
It's the reason why "I'm studying tonight." is a valid answer to the question "Do you want to go to the movies with me?" even though it's not answering the question at all. The "No, I can't, because..." part is left out because it is unnecessary for understanding the sentence because your brain can decipher the unspoken part by itself within a split second. The same applies to "Muscle weighs more than fat." Any interpretation except "...if they're both the same volume." wouldn't make any sense so that's the interpretation your brain chooses and that's how you understand it even though that part didn't get said.
The Japanese people are taking it even further, regularly just leaving out the complete subject of a sentence if they think it's obvious what the subject is.0 -
Meh, most people (I would think) understand all three statements you are "clarifying". Too me the OP doesn't really clear anything up that isn't common sense.
Actually, it is apparent that most people don't understand the difference between mass and weight.0 -
Look, my accountant-y brain can appreciate your compulsion to ensure that people understand the science behind what they are talking about. I would love if people didn't get all glassy eyed and sleepy when I crooned about debits and credits and assets and liabilities. (Heck, I would love it if people just knew their basic times tables.) But at a certain point we have to understand that it's not going to happen and there's no point in fixating on it. The majority of people understand the very basic idea that one pound of fat is larger in physical dimensions than is a pound of muscle and that's the bottom line. After that, be like Elsa and
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thats not the argument here. besides, within the realm of the world we call earth, they are essentially the same thing, the difference is more philosophic than physicalMeh, most people (I would think) understand all three statements you are "clarifying". Too me the OP doesn't really clear anything up that isn't common sense.
Actually, it is apparent that most people don't understand the difference between mass and weight.0
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