scales and body fat %

Hurricane_C

Hey guys,
I currently have a fairly normal digital scale. Nothing fancy (like $20 at walmart). I was wondering how accurate the scales are that calculate body fat percentage. If they're accurate then I can see maybe rewarding myself with one... but if they're not really close to being correct, what's the point in spending that money on a new scale?

Thanks.

rebeccafrs

I have a weightwatchers scale that calculates body fat % and I'm not sure how accurate that is either maybe we could both get some help here?

PrincessGlitterTush

I think the most accurate test for body fat is to use callipers? I may be wrong - but I know that some doctors use these. I can't imagine how a scale would be able to calculate.. I don't see that being very accurate. You need measurements?

I may be wrong??

rebeccafrs

I think the most accurate test for body fat is to use callipers? I may be wrong - but I know that some doctors use these. I can't imagine how a scale would be able to calculate.. I don't see that being very accurate. You need measurements?

I may be wrong??

I read that scales send a minor electronic current round your body. I can't remember what happens exactly lol

Hurricane_C

I know callipers are the most accurate way but to be fair I don't have a pair lying around... and even if I bought some I'm not entirely sure I'd be able to do it myself.

PrincessGlitterTush

If I was you I'd spend the money on callipers rather.. They box will give you instructions on how to take the reading accurately. Those scales sound a bit misleading

lgammy

I have such a scale. I know it is not entirely accurate but I like that it gives me a ballpark idea when used correctly. The scale does send a mild electric current through the body. The time it takes to pass through the tissues of the body are dependent upon their composition. You can read up on bioelectrical impedance analysis to find out more. I know that being more hydrated will give a high body fat percentage reading, so I will use it in the morning after using the toilet so I can get the best reading. At any rate, I do not think it is necessary but I try to make good use of the information.

heybales

Hey guys,
I currently have a fairly normal digital scale. Nothing fancy (like $20 at walmart). I was wondering how accurate the scales are that calculate body fat percentage. If they're accurate then I can see maybe rewarding myself with one... but if they're not really close to being correct, what's the point in spending that money on a new scale?

Anything except for water or air displacement is very rough estimate. Some perhaps more than others, some more prone to errors than others.

If you have someone that does skin calipers all the time do it using 7-site method, better chance for good estimate. Yourself doing 2 site method - forget it.

The scales require you to be very consistent with level of hydration, so picking a morning after a rest day from exercise, same level of water and sodium the night before. Otherwise you mess it up badly.

Really, the reason for those measurements is going to be to see progress. Hence the need for consistency, to see real progress.

In that regard, sites that get a lot of measurements have a better chance of being more accurate than scales.

If the scale doesn't get gender, age, height, (perhaps waist or neck for better accuracy), the formula's they are using are going to be mighty incorrect.
Even there, 2 women same height, same weight - one could have a long torso and short legs, the other opposite. The electrical impedence would be very different. Or one carries the fat weight in the legs and butt, the other spread all over. Very different results.

But, for each one, they would show direction, even if the values are not correct, as they lost weight.

But a good measurement method is:
http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/cbbf/

And that is accurate enough to get a good BF% for use in better BMR calculations like:
http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/CalRequire.html

Plus, you can record all the measurements in MFP for tracking right along with weight.

Cal28

I had one and I just found it depressing I'd rather go off just weight and measurements rather than be told I'm 50% flab. But thats just me :happy:

valeriebpdx

I know that being more hydrated will give a high body fat percentage reading, so I will use it in the morning after using the toilet so I can get the best reading.

This is backward. Being adequately hydrated will give you a better (lower) bf reading, because lean tissue is watery and adipose tissue (fat) has next to no water in it. Being dehydrated will give you an inaccurately high reading. (I am chronically underhydrated, so I don't put a lot of stock into my readings, though they are usually in the same percentage ballpark, +/-2%.

Hurricane_C

Okay, I'll just save my money then. I might talk with the bf about getting some callipers when he moves in. He's an exercise physiology major and knows how to do the skin folds and what not... although I'm not really sure how excited I'll be to have my boyfriend tell me I'm 37% fat or something....

Thanks for the info though!

ebusinessbuilder

Thanks for sharing http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/cbbf/. I agree the bathroom scales & skinfold tests are hard for the average person to sort out.