You simply step on the scale and the tool measures both your body weight and your estimated fat percentage. However the convienience of this method comes at a price of accuracy.
Percent Body Fat Heartstrong
Electrical body fat measurement. They use a method called bioelectrical impedance analysis bia. In part 1 of this series you learned about how body fat testing is a prediction not a measurement. Dehydration is a recognized factor affecting bia measurements as it causes an increase in the bodys electrical resistance so has been measured to cause a 5 kg underestimation of fat free mass ie. The term body composition refers to the relative percentages of fat muscle and water. Bia involves passing a very weak electrical current through the body to measure. The lower body in the case of body fat scales and the upper body for handheld body fat monitors.
In part 2 you learned about underwater weighing and in part 3 you learned about the bod pod. The widely used body mass index bmi provides a measure that allows the comparison of the adiposity of individuals of different heights and weights. The amount of water found in body tissues impedes or obstructs the electrical current to a different extent depending on whether the tissue is fat muscle or bone. Skinfold measurements have been used to estimate body fat for over 50 years skinfold calipers measure the thickness of your subcutaneous fat the fat underneath the skin at certain body. Such scales work with the help of sensors underneath. Now lets talk about bia.
An overestimation of body fat. Most research shows that body fat scales arent accurate enough to track changes in body composition over time. The devices send a very low electrical charge through your body. An excessive percentage of body fat however can cause multiple health problems such as. Body fat measurements are lower when measurements are taken shortly after consumption of a meal causing a variation. You need some body fat to regulate the production of hormones.
Obesity and high levels of body fat can lead to high blood pressure and high levels of bad cholesterol which are also risk factors for heart diseases. Some bathroom scales estimate body fat percentage. They run a light electrical current through your body measure the degree of resistance or impedance to the flow of the current then use this information to estimate your body fat percentage. Bioelectrical impedance bia bia is one of the quickest and easiest methods for predicting body fat. Body fat scales are easy to use. The body fat percentage is a measure of fitness level since it is the only body measurement which directly calculates a persons relative body composition without regard to height or weight.
Body fat scales are devices that a person can use to measure their weight and body composition at home.
Gallery of Electrical Body Fat Measurement
