Question about body fat percentage scales

batyc2

Each time I make a trip to the pharmacy to pick up my birth control I check my blood pressure/body fat % on the machine they have there. Last month, I weighed 120.4 and had a BF% of 16.4. Today, when I picked up my prescription I used the same machine and it said I was 117-119 (I did a few tests) and had a 22.85 BF%! I haven't been exercising any differently; however, I have been having cravings the last few days due to TOM. My scale at home always says I'm around 17.1-17.9%. Can someone explain some possible reasons as to why it was so much higher this month?

Sued0nim

Scales cannot measure body fat accurately

Chrysalid2014

Pu_239 wrote: »

because it also measures water weight. It works on conductivity. The more water you're holding the higher your body fat will be. I use a body fat scale daily, it's good to keep track.

Interesting. At my gym, where they have one of those machines, they told me the opposite (that the water is counted as LBM by the machine).

Cherimoose

Chrysalid2014 wrote: »

Pu_239 wrote: »

because it also measures water weight. It works on conductivity. The more water you're holding the higher your body fat will be. I use a body fat scale daily, it's good to keep track.

Interesting. At my gym, where they have one of those machines, they told me the opposite (that the water is counted as LBM by the machine).

Scales estimate bodyfat by measuring your conductivity (how easily electricity passes through you). Water reduces conductivity, so holding more water makes you appear fatter (fat has low conductivity too). Your gym's scale may also estimate how much of you is water, but it's basing that on your bodyfat results.

The cleanliness of your skin that touches the electrodes can also affect the results.

kikichewie

Yes LBM includes water, fat and bone. When I am dehydrated my body fat percentage goes up.