Body Fat %
111YoYo111
Posts: 213 Member
How can a bathroom scale possibly tell you your body fat %?
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Replies
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It can't.0
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No idea. I wanna get one tho0
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Those scales are way off and not worth the extra money. Invest in calipers that you can buy at GNC and/or a tape measure and you will be better off.0
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Eye test is the best IMO. Take photos in the mirror at the same angle and lighting every once in a while.0
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111YoYo111 wrote: »How can a bathroom scale possibly tell you your body fat %?
It takes your weight, age and height then its suppose to send a electric pulse in one foot and out the other...They do not work...Well mine sucks anyways...
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Mine says i am 32 %. What do you think ?? See profile pic0
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The concept is that by measuring resistance in the body you can tell the composition of the body. If the scales could be calibrated to the person, they would probably work, but if they're calibrated to the average person then they will only work for an average person.0
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Different body fat % question. When I started losing weight, my Dr. calculated my % using a DXA scan. Now that I've lost weight, can I recalculate by subtracting my weight loss from my DXA weight? If not, how much muscle loss should I assume?0
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sheldonklein wrote: »Different body fat % question. When I started losing weight, my Dr. calculated my % using a DXA scan. Now that I've lost weight, can I recalculate by subtracting my weight loss from my DXA weight? If not, how much muscle loss should I assume?
You won't know unless you take another measure of BF%. Doing another DXA would be idea but you can still get close using other methods. It's hard to just guess your BF% loss since it depends on a lot of factors such as your diet, exercise and genetics.
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Wheelhouse15 wrote: »Those scales are way off and not worth the extra money. Invest in calipers that you can buy at GNC and/or a tape measure and you will be better off.
Just a tape measure can tell you that? How so?0 -
Here's one method: http://www.free-online-calculator-use.com/military-body-fat-calculator.html111YoYo111 wrote: »Wheelhouse15 wrote: »Those scales are way off and not worth the extra money. Invest in calipers that you can buy at GNC and/or a tape measure and you will be better off.
Just a tape measure can tell you that? How so?The calculations are based on the Circumference Method, developed by the military (U.S. Navy and U.S. Army) for estimating percent of body fat.
While a skin fold test using a body fat caliper is considered to be the most accurate, this calculator will allow to get a close estimate without having to go out and buy a caliper.0 -
111YoYo111 wrote: »Wheelhouse15 wrote: »Those scales are way off and not worth the extra money. Invest in calipers that you can buy at GNC and/or a tape measure and you will be better off.
Just a tape measure can tell you that? How so?
A lot of people on MFP seem to think bioimpedance scales are wildly inaccurate. Some will tell you that tape measures are the only way to go, others will swear by calipers, some by comparing "selfies," and others by DEXA scans. When I read this thread last week, it got me wondering if anyone could back up their assertions using real life data. So I opened a new thread and challenged people to pick out the bioimpedance scale data from the tape measure and caliper data:
community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10018085/best-method-to-measure-bodyfat-at-home#latest
So far, only one person has even tried to guess which set of readings came from my bioimpedance scale.
My conclusion: Bioimpedance scales are not all that inaccurate. And all the home measuring methods have their problems. And all the methods introduce inaccuracies and inconsistencies in their own way.
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i wanna say when you can start seeing definition in your body you are going in the right direction, thats the old school but honest way instead of all these calculators and gadgets0
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111YoYo111 wrote: »Wheelhouse15 wrote: »Those scales are way off and not worth the extra money. Invest in calipers that you can buy at GNC and/or a tape measure and you will be better off.
Just a tape measure can tell you that? How so?
A lot of people on MFP seem to think bioimpedance scales are wildly inaccurate. Some will tell you that tape measures are the only way to go, others will swear by calipers, some by comparing "selfies," and others by DEXA scans. When I read this thread last week, it got me wondering if anyone could back up their assertions using real life data. So I opened a new thread and challenged people to pick out the bioimpedance scale data from the tape measure and caliper data:
community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10018085/best-method-to-measure-bodyfat-at-home#latest
So far, only one person has even tried to guess which set of readings came from my bioimpedance scale.
My conclusion: Bioimpedance scales are not all that inaccurate. And all the home measuring methods have their problems. And all the methods introduce inaccuracies and inconsistencies in their own way.
I agree-I had my bf% measured by caliper and it was very close to my scales number. In fact,I think the scale was the more accurate of the two even though it was a little higher. Either way,my feelings about the scale,even if it is inaccurate,is it will give you a trend over the long term. If the scale says you went from 25% to 20% bf over a period of time,thats a good thing. It will keep you working
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BF scales can be accurate dependent upon a lot of factors that the scale cannot take into account. Genetics, age and other factors can cause an inaccurate reading. I've read that the ones with the hand and feet electrodes are more accurate than the feet ones. However, they do reportedly have a habit of reporting a over calculating body fat for very lean people or very athletic people and under calculating body fat for very heavy or obese people. Therefore, they may work for some but are guaranteed not to work for all unless they figure out a way for each person to calibrate their scale to their body.0
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111YoYo111 wrote: »Wheelhouse15 wrote: »Those scales are way off and not worth the extra money. Invest in calipers that you can buy at GNC and/or a tape measure and you will be better off.
Just a tape measure can tell you that? How so?
A lot of people on MFP seem to think bioimpedance scales are wildly inaccurate. Some will tell you that tape measures are the only way to go, others will swear by calipers, some by comparing "selfies," and others by DEXA scans. When I read this thread last week, it got me wondering if anyone could back up their assertions using real life data. So I opened a new thread and challenged people to pick out the bioimpedance scale data from the tape measure and caliper data:
community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10018085/best-method-to-measure-bodyfat-at-home#latest
So far, only one person has even tried to guess which set of readings came from my bioimpedance scale.
My conclusion: Bioimpedance scales are not all that inaccurate. And all the home measuring methods have their problems. And all the methods introduce inaccuracies and inconsistencies in their own way.
You can check around and you will find that they have no reliability, and your test has no relevance. You should have a DEXA, use calipers and tape, and then your scale and see which comes closest to the DEXA. Hint: it will not be your scale.0 -
I'm not rich so I can't afford to have multiple DEXA scans done at $150 a pop. I'd probably advocate ONE scan and then immediately do a bioimpedence scale, calipers, hand held bioimpedence etc... then compare the two for reference.
It's not really the accuracy perse as long as it's consistent. If it's consistent, then the DELTA change in bodyfat is what is important.0 -
Wheelhouse15 wrote: »111YoYo111 wrote: »Wheelhouse15 wrote: »Those scales are way off and not worth the extra money. Invest in calipers that you can buy at GNC and/or a tape measure and you will be better off.
Just a tape measure can tell you that? How so?
A lot of people on MFP seem to think bioimpedance scales are wildly inaccurate. Some will tell you that tape measures are the only way to go, others will swear by calipers, some by comparing "selfies," and others by DEXA scans. When I read this thread last week, it got me wondering if anyone could back up their assertions using real life data. So I opened a new thread and challenged people to pick out the bioimpedance scale data from the tape measure and caliper data:
community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10018085/best-method-to-measure-bodyfat-at-home#latest
So far, only one person has even tried to guess which set of readings came from my bioimpedance scale.
My conclusion: Bioimpedance scales are not all that inaccurate. And all the home measuring methods have their problems. And all the methods introduce inaccuracies and inconsistencies in their own way.
You can check around and you will find that they have no reliability, and your test has no relevance. You should have a DEXA, use calipers and tape, and then your scale and see which comes closest to the DEXA. Hint: it will not be your scale.
Like I said in the other thread I linked, people believe what they want to believe despite any evidence to the contrary. My BI scale consistently measures me in the same general range as tape measure and calipers. While I agree that a DEXA scan would make a good benchmark and is the closest I'll ever get to my true or exact BF%, your assertion that the BI scale would not be the closest is based on supposition, not fact.0 -
Scale versions are highly affected by your water content at the time.0
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JeffseekingV wrote: »Scale versions are highly affected by your water content at the time.
That's why you do it first thing in the morning, before drinking or eating anything, after a quick trip to the bathroom.
I think calipers are affected by hydration levels as well. I normally use the calipers just on Saturday mornings, but I tried them a couple days ago after work. I was up a couple percentage points, I'm guessing because I was fully hydrated.
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JeffseekingV wrote: »Scale versions are highly affected by your water content at the time.
That's why you do it first thing in the morning, before drinking or eating anything, after a quick trip to the bathroom.
I think calipers are affected by hydration levels as well. I normally use the calipers just on Saturday mornings, but I tried them a couple days ago after work. I was up a couple percentage points, I'm guessing because I was fully hydrated.
That is what I do. Try to be as consistent as possible. Since this type of measurement is also used to measure hydration, one has to keep that as consistent as possible.
I measured myself on the scale at about 18%. I posted pictures here and had some really knowledgeable people estimate my BF and they posted about the same %. But in reality, I want the scale to be consistent in the delta change and not really in the absolute number.0 -
JeffseekingV wrote: »But in reality, I want the scale to be consistent in the delta change and not really in the absolute number.
Same here.
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The one at my work told me I was 7.8% right after it told me I was 28%.... And this is the one our Registered Dietician uses and costs like 3K or something ridiculous she said. She then proceeded to argue with me on how accurate they are.0
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Wheelhouse15 wrote: »111YoYo111 wrote: »Wheelhouse15 wrote: »Those scales are way off and not worth the extra money. Invest in calipers that you can buy at GNC and/or a tape measure and you will be better off.
Just a tape measure can tell you that? How so?
A lot of people on MFP seem to think bioimpedance scales are wildly inaccurate. Some will tell you that tape measures are the only way to go, others will swear by calipers, some by comparing "selfies," and others by DEXA scans. When I read this thread last week, it got me wondering if anyone could back up their assertions using real life data. So I opened a new thread and challenged people to pick out the bioimpedance scale data from the tape measure and caliper data:
community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10018085/best-method-to-measure-bodyfat-at-home#latest
So far, only one person has even tried to guess which set of readings came from my bioimpedance scale.
My conclusion: Bioimpedance scales are not all that inaccurate. And all the home measuring methods have their problems. And all the methods introduce inaccuracies and inconsistencies in their own way.
You can check around and you will find that they have no reliability, and your test has no relevance. You should have a DEXA, use calipers and tape, and then your scale and see which comes closest to the DEXA. Hint: it will not be your scale.
Like I said in the other thread I linked, people believe what they want to believe despite any evidence to the contrary. My BI scale consistently measures me in the same general range as tape measure and calipers. While I agree that a DEXA scan would make a good benchmark and is the closest I'll ever get to my true or exact BF%, your assertion that the BI scale would not be the closest is based on supposition, not fact.
And everyone knows that n = 1!0 -
Wheelhouse15 wrote: »111YoYo111 wrote: »Wheelhouse15 wrote: »Those scales are way off and not worth the extra money. Invest in calipers that you can buy at GNC and/or a tape measure and you will be better off.
Just a tape measure can tell you that? How so?
A lot of people on MFP seem to think bioimpedance scales are wildly inaccurate. Some will tell you that tape measures are the only way to go, others will swear by calipers, some by comparing "selfies," and others by DEXA scans. When I read this thread last week, it got me wondering if anyone could back up their assertions using real life data. So I opened a new thread and challenged people to pick out the bioimpedance scale data from the tape measure and caliper data:
community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10018085/best-method-to-measure-bodyfat-at-home#latest
So far, only one person has even tried to guess which set of readings came from my bioimpedance scale.
My conclusion: Bioimpedance scales are not all that inaccurate. And all the home measuring methods have their problems. And all the methods introduce inaccuracies and inconsistencies in their own way.
You can check around and you will find that they have no reliability, and your test has no relevance. You should have a DEXA, use calipers and tape, and then your scale and see which comes closest to the DEXA. Hint: it will not be your scale.
Like I said in the other thread I linked, people believe what they want to believe despite any evidence to the contrary. My BI scale consistently measures me in the same general range as tape measure and calipers. While I agree that a DEXA scan would make a good benchmark and is the closest I'll ever get to my true or exact BF%, your assertion that the BI scale would not be the closest is based on supposition, not fact.
It's not opinion I state regarding BI scales it's fact backed by studies, if you choose not to believe that's your issue.0 -
JeffseekingV wrote: »I'm not rich so I can't afford to have multiple DEXA scans done at $150 a pop. I'd probably advocate ONE scan and then immediately do a bioimpedence scale, calipers, hand held bioimpedence etc... then compare the two for reference.
It's not really the accuracy perse as long as it's consistent. If it's consistent, then the DELTA change in bodyfat is what is important.
When the reliability of these scales is in question even the delta is not a great measure. Tape measures and callipers are reliable. Also note that when reliability is in question you have no external validity. For cost, tape measures and callipers win every time.0 -
JeffseekingV wrote: »Scale versions are highly affected by your water content at the time.
That's why you do it first thing in the morning, before drinking or eating anything, after a quick trip to the bathroom.
I think calipers are affected by hydration levels as well. I normally use the calipers just on Saturday mornings, but I tried them a couple days ago after work. I was up a couple percentage points, I'm guessing because I was fully hydrated.
I'm guessing you are moving the callipers.0 -
My bi scale reads 10% more than the scan. Both numbers are way too high but it is a big difference0
This discussion has been closed.
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