Body fat percentage scales v. weight-based number

elizabethblake

Any thoughts on the percentage of body fat given by electronic scales versus the number based strictly on weight? I've been rocking along, seeing my numbers decline into the low 30s based on my weight. Got a Homedics scale from BB&B this weekend, entered my stats and was SHOCKED to see my body fat register at 39.4%! I repeated the process three times throughout the day and the body fat number was the same.

If it's right, that's so depressing! How much credence do you guys give to the scale numbers?

Thanks!

abellante_0205

talk to your doctor for the accurate numbers!

kellyscomeback

I think I have the same scale and I don't even worry about that number. I don't see how my body fat can be calculated based on just my height, age & weight.

leahsevilla

Hey! I'd suggest getting a different kind of body fat test if that's what you're using as your goal. At my gym they test it with calipers which is more accurate than the height/weight but less accurate than a water dunk. Those you can find at a lot of universities. So if there is one in your area you could try giving their Sports or Health departments a call.

Growe190

You body fat is not based on soley on the height, age & weight. The scale sends a small electric current through you body, and then measure the time to complete the circuit, since the human body is mostly water, which conducts electricty at a different rate than fat, using you age & weight it calculates your body fat, and is supposed to be about 98% accurate. The only way to get a more accurate read is to a hydrostatic test. Of course this is all premised that you have a good scale.

Egger29

Hello Elizabeth,

The home based body fat scales can have a margin of error of about =-3% depending on time of day, how hydrated you are, if you've eaten, ample contact with the foot pads etc.

That being said, they are very useful as a guide to show you where you are at in terms of weight (Fat) loss.

A normal scale will only tell you how much your total mass is....and in that sense...it's just a flat number.

A Body Comp scale will give you a rough picture of where you are at and where you should be shooting for.

Eg: A 200 lb individual who is 35% body fat has 70 lbs of fat on their body. The remaining 130 lbs is their lean mass containing muscle, bone, blood vessels, organs and water..

"Normal / healthy" ranges for woman are between 18 and 26% fat, so that means the example individual would want to lower their body weight, without losing that 130lbs of lean mass.

Now, if we took that same person and they lost 30lbs, strictly from their body fat, (maintaining their lean mass), then their composition would change as such:

200 - 30 = 170 Lbs total weight:
Fat Mass = 170 - 130 = 40lbs.

Body fat %age 40/170 * 100 = 23.53%

The Body comp scale will help you note if you're maintaining your lean mass while losing fat mass during your weight loss journey. INcluding simple strength training as part of your exercise plan is a key element in maintaining the lean mass along the way.

Best regards!

elizabethblake

Hello Elizabeth,

The home based body fat scales can have a margin of error of about =-3% depending on time of day, how hydrated you are, if you've eaten, ample contact with the foot pads etc.

That being said, they are very useful as a guide to show you where you are at in terms of weight (Fat) loss.

A normal scale will only tell you how much your total mass is....and in that sense...it's just a flat number.

A Body Comp scale will give you a rough picture of where you are at and where you should be shooting for.

Eg: A 200 lb individual who is 35% body fat has 70 lbs of fat on their body. The remaining 130 lbs is their lean mass containing muscle, bone, blood vessels, organs and water..

"Normal / healthy" ranges for woman are between 18 and 26% fat, so that means the example individual would want to lower their body weight, without losing that 130lbs of lean mass.

Now, if we took that same person and they lost 30lbs, strictly from their body fat, (maintaining their lean mass), then their composition would change as such:

200 - 30 = 170 Lbs total weight:
Fat Mass = 170 - 130 = 40lbs.

Body fat %age 40/170 * 100 = 23.53%

The Body comp scale will help you note if you're maintaining your lean mass while losing fat mass during your weight loss journey. INcluding simple strength training as part of your exercise plan is a key element in maintaining the lean mass along the way.

Best regards!

Yes, that's exactly why I bought the scale! ) I want to be sure that I'm not losing muscle while I'm losing weight. Since the reading on the body comp scale was the same several times throughout the day, I guess that's my true number - it was a bit disheartening after working so hard for the past four months (and thinking that the number was lower). But - I know I've lost fat and gained muscle because I'm stronger and smaller, so I'll just keep at it and work to get that number down!

Thanks everyone!

Egger29

Just keep in mind that body comp measurements take longer to change than general scale weight, so your best guide would be to keep working hard, but check your body comp every 2-3 weeks and track your results.

keep in mind, a change in body comp might not show on the scale, You can gain lean mass which would make you heavier per see...but the same gain in lean mass would lower your body fat %age so it's all relative.

Cheers!