Are Scale Accurate? Recommendations?

Bruja924

Are scales that calculate various other factors pretty accurate? I mean, how does a scale know my % of body fat from my total weight just by weighing me??

If they're worth the investment, I'm looking to buy a smart scale for $50 or less. Any suggestions? (I'm in the USA).

sunnybeaches105

No. The more expensive ones may be able to at least keep a trend, but they won't accurately measure body fat percentage. Less than $50 like the one I chuckle at every morning? You might as well roll dice.

marm1962

I don't know how accurate they are, but most of these types of scales use bioelectrical impedance. They send a safe and very low electrical current through the lower half of the body. Since the electrical current flows more quickly through water and muscle than bone or fat, the scale measures the speed of the current

marm1962

Just found this and it basically says that they are not very accurate.
http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/diet-weight-loss/article/body-fat-scales-step-right

Ricksh1000

I bought a set of Weightwatchers scales and they are about as reliable as a chocolate fire guard
Even the weight can be wildly inaccurate +/- 10kgs, so I weigh myself 3 times to be sure

Bruja924

sunnybeaches105 wrote: »

No. The more expensive ones may be able to at least keep a trend, but they won't accurately measure body fat percentage. Less than $50 like the one I chuckle at every morning? You might as well roll dice.

Do weigh yourself every am?

Bruja924

Right now I have a regular digital scale and it sucks. I can stand on it 5 times and get different weights! This am I got 255.6, 256.6, 258.2, and 256.4.

marm1962

I have a Health O Meter digital scale and I step on it once every morning. It seems to have the same reading if I step on it one right after another, but all scales will have a different reading after a few minutes. Hell 30 minutes after I wake up I can weigh 3 lbs more than I did

auzziecawth

One big reason for digital scales measuring differently immediately like that is that they aren't sitting on a flat surface or there is something on or under the foot pads. If there's even a crumb under them they will do that. They HAVE to be sitting on a flat, clean surface.

As for the main post they aren't known to be very accurate but it's nice to have a number and to follow a trend even if it isn't right on the money because you can still get an idea of moving in the right direction. Another thing I've heard is that they work better for people who are pear shaped rather then Apple shaped since it measures the body fat in just your lower body so if you carry a lot of your weight in your upper body the number will be off even more.