Digital Scales

LaurenRose2011
LaurenRose2011 Posts: 86
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I have read posts by some people who are getting discouraged by various digital scale readouts of body fat, body water measurements. IF you have one of the digital scales that calculates these things you SHOULD NOT pay any attention to these readings. These scales are inaccurate for most of the population and can/will lead to discouragement. If you have recently purchased yours then you should return it if you can and purchase a basic digital scale or perhaps one that logs several weigh ins, but stay away from the other bells & whistles because they're simply useless.

These particular scales function by sending a low voltage charge through your body in a very poor attempt to determine your body density. They DO NOT work for most people, because they have standard algorithms programmed at factory that do not adjust based on the user, and their are too many variables that need to be known to make these calculations that these scales don't and are not designed to take into account.

You may be tempted to use a scale like this thinking that it's the best thing for you, but it is likely one of the worst purchases you can make unless you're in the approximate 3% of the population that these scales accurately measure. And there's no way to know if you are one of those 3%.

Replies

  • 1983Miller
    1983Miller Posts: 89 Member
    I completely disagree with your view on digital scales. My old scale was so old it only measured basic weight and if I stepped on it 10 times I would get 10 different weight readings, this was so frustrating and made me give up in the past on my progress. My NEW digital scale measures accurate for my home use, it may not be exact like the doctors office but if I use it at home consistently I will get the same reading every time I step on it. I started using it 1/1/11. I logged my body fat, body water, body muscle mass, cal reg and bone mass. This is where I see the biggest changes, even though I am not seeing huge changes every weigh in on my weight the body fat, water and muscle mass are changing. This is so encouraging and has helped me stick with controlling my portions, exercising and staying motivated to step on that digital scale 2 times a week! I love my new digital scale and would never return it!
  • LaurenRose2011
    LaurenRose2011 Posts: 86
    Then you might actually be in the 3% that this type of scale accurately measures. However, I am only stating that it isn't accurate for most people, and this isn't exactly my view. If you ask most doctors about these body fat/water %s they will agree that these scales are almost always wrong. That's all. Even with you, the changes your seeing on your scale are likely not an accurate representation of what's happening inside your body, because the only way to accurately measure things such as muscle mass, bone density, etc. is through medical testing, and your scale doesn't do that.

    I am glad that your readings are encouraging. I hope it stays that way for you.
  • Healthymom0000
    Healthymom0000 Posts: 14 Member
    Those digital scales cannot possibly measure body fat correctly. It is great if you find it encouraging, however it is the least accurate measure of body fat and can even be off by more than 10%....which is pretty significant. If you want a real body fat measurement.....use calipers (have a professional do your skin fold measurements) or pay for the BodPod.

    To pay extra for a scale with these claims is a waste of money.....
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