A visible six pack is not necessarily a sign of good health. In fact, having too little body fat can be just as unhealthy as carrying too much weight.
The abdominal muscles, or abs, are made up of four main muscle groups: the rectus abdominis, external obliques, internal obliques, and transverse abdominis. The rectus abdominis is the large muscle that extends along the length of the abdomen and is responsible for flexing the trunk. The external obliques are located on either side of the rectus abdominis and help to stabilize the spine and pelvis. The internal obliques are located beneath the external obliques and assist in both rotation and side-bending movements of the trunk. Finally, the transverse abdominis is a deep abdominal muscle that wraps around the entire torso and helps to support the lower back and intestines.
While having strong abs may give you a nice “six pack” appearance, it’s important to remember that these muscles make up only a small portion of your overall musculature. So, even if you have rock-hard abs, you could still be carrying excess body fat elsewhere on your frame which can lead to serious health problems down the road.
Carrying too little body fat can also be detrimental to your health. This is because essential fatty acids play an important role in many bodily functions including hormone production, brain function, and immunity. When you don’t have enough body fat to provide these essential fatty acids, your health can suffer as a result. Additionally, women who carry too little body fat may stop menstruating which can lead to bone loss and other serious health complications over time.
So, while having defined abs may look impressive on the outside, it’s important to remember that there’s more to good health than just appearances!