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Education of the Body Composition Scale
Important Information to Know Before Using Your Scale
Before using the scale, you should know ...
1. Why is it important to monitor percentage body fat (%BF)?
Body Fat% is an indicator to determine whether a person is obese. Too much body fat can
negatively affect of metabolism, which can lead to various illnesses. Measuring Body Fat is
an important step toward successful weight management and body health.
2. How is percentage body fat (%BF) estimated?
The percentage of BF is measured by a method called Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA).
The use of BIA to estimate body fat has been pioneered since the seventies. It was only in the
past decade that the estimation of body fat using BIA technology was successfully offered
to the consumer as a compact bathroom scale. With BIA technology, a low intensity electrical
signal is sent through the body. The signal is very low and causes no bodily harm. Depending
on the amount of body fat of the individual, the electrical signal will flow with a different
degree of difficulty. The difficulty with which a signal flows through the body is called
electrical impedance. Hence, by measuring the electrical impedance and applying to the data
a proprietary algorithm, %BF can be estimated.
'Please note that the percentage of body fat and body water will not add up to 100%.'
Please be reminded that the %BF estimated with the scale represents only a good
approximation of your actual body fat. There exist clinical methods of estimating body fat
that can be ordered by your physician.
3. Why is it important to monitor percentage Total Body Water (%TBW) in the body?
Water is an essential component of the body and its level is one of the health indicators.
Water makes up approximately between 50-70% of the body's weight. It is present
proportionally more in lean tissue compared to fat tissue. Water is a medium for biochemical
reactions that regulate body functions. Waste products are carried in water from cells
for excretion in urine and sweat. Water provides form to cells; helps to maintain body
temperature; provides moisture to skin and mucosa; cushions vital organs; lubricates joints
and is a component of many body fluids. The amount of water in the body fluctuates with the
hydration level of the body and state of health. Monitoring the level of body water can be a
useful tool for one's health maintenance. Similar to body fat estimation, the %TBW function
provided in this scale is based on BIA.
The estimated %TBW may vary according to your hydration level, that is, how much water you
have drunk or how much you have sweated immediately prior to the estimation. For better
accuracy, avoid fluctuation in hydration level prior to the estimation. The accuracy of the
scale in estimating TBW will also decrease with individuals suffering from diseases that tend
to accumulate water in the body.
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4. When should I use the scale's body fat and total body water functions?
For maximum accuracy and repeatability, it is recommended that the scale's body fat and
total body water functions be used at approximately the same time of the day, e.g. before
breakfast in the morning. It is also a good practice to avoid swings in hydration level of the
body prior to the estimation. Establishing your own baseline value of %BF and %TBW and
tracking their changes is better than merely comparing your %BF and %TBW value to the
population's "normal" value.
The estimates provided are not substitutes for physician assessments. Consult your
physician to determine what body fat percentage, total body water percentage, muscle mass
percentage and daily calorie intake are most ideal for you.
The optimal %TBW of an individual varies according to age and gender.
The table as follows may be used as a guide:
(Source: University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, USA)
%BF Range
4 to 14%
15 to 21%
Men
22 to 24%
25 and over
4 to 20%
21 to 29%
Women
30 to 32%
33 and over
Please be reminded that the %TBW estimated with the scale represents only a good approximation of your TBW. There exist
clinical methods of estimating total body water that can be ordered by your physician.
Optimal % TBW Range
70 to 63%
63 to 57%
57 to 55%
55 to 37%
70 to 58%
58 to 52%
52 to 49%
49 to 37%
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