Weight and Body Fat - How does it work?
While body fat can be measured in many ways, the method used in your scale is bioelec-
trical impedance. This indirect method of determining body fat starts when a safe and
very low electrical current is sent through the lower half of the body. The electrical current
flows more quickly through water and muscle than it will through bone and fat. The scale
measures the speed of the current. Based on this number, the scale estimates body fat
using a multi-step, mathematical formula.
Is it accurate?
Measurements of body fat tend to fluctuate a lot more than simple weighing, and dif-
ferent methods of estimating body fat yield very different results. Just as different scales
give different results, different body fat analyzers can provide very different body fat
estimates. Even with the same scale the numbers will vary because:
• Weight loss tends to produce substantial, continuous, and unpredictable changes
in body water content. Because body fat analysis is determined by water content in the
body, results can vary considerably from day to day.
• Hydration status affects body fat results. If you’ve just worked out, there is less water
for the electrical current to flow through. This may result in a higher body fat result. In
the same way, if you measure your body fat after drinking a lot of fluid, it may appear
that body fat is lower than it really is.
• Skin temperature can have an influence also. Measuring body fat in warm humid
weather when skin is moist will yield a different result than if skin is cold and dry.
• As with weight, it is better to track trends over time than to use individual daily results,
when your goal is to change body composition.
• Results may not be accurate for persons under the age of 16, or persons with an
elevated body temperature, diabetes or other health conditions.
What you need to know!
• Percent body fat refers to the number of pounds of fat divided by your total body
weight and multiplied by 100.
• During weight loss, percent body fat doesn’t appear to be reduced as quickly as
expected because total weight loss and total body fat are decreasing at the same time
(for a more detailed explanation, see next section).
• Weight loss in the form of body fat and lean tissue (muscle) is common, and is
normal.
• To minimize the loss of lean tissue, include regular physical activity, especially strength
training, in your weight loss plan.
Fitness Levels
In order to make your body fat and body water readings more accurate, we have added
“fitness level” to the data you program into the scale. People who are very athletic are
of a different body type than the standard adult body type due to differences in muscle
mass and body water levels. When you choose your fitness level, it is important to be
honest: the more accurate the data you program, the more accurate your measurements
will be. Also, progress one mode at a time (for instance, do not jump from fitness level 1
directly to level 3). And give yourself at least 2 months of consistent activity at one level
before you change to the next.
Set Fitness Level
• The fitness icon will flash in display window.
• Press UP or DOWN arrows to select one among Fit1, Fit2, Fit3, Fit4, or Fit5
The categories can be summarized as below:
Fit1:
Obese
Fit2:
Overweight
Fit3:
Physical activity limited, less than twice a week, less than
20 minutes each time.
Fit4:
Moderate daily exercise, 20 minute workouts, less than
20 minutes each time.
Fit5:
Highly active, with a healthy diet. Has developed a range of flexibility,
endurance, and strength over an extended period of time.
• Press SET button to save fitness level.
Most people should initially set the scale to fitness level 3. After two months, as you
gradually make exercise a more integral part of your lifestyle, you can move to fitness
level 4. As you continue to increase your activity level and consistently engage in vigorous
physical activity, switch to fitness level 5.
Why do I lose weight but my body fat doesn’t change much?
• Remember that your Weight Watcher body fat monitor is showing your body fat as
a percentage, not as an absolute number of pounds. At the beginning of a weight
loss program, a person may weigh 200 lb and show 30% body fat, equaling
60 lb of fat (30% of 200 lb = 60 lb). A few weeks later, the same person may have
lost a substantial amount of weight. Weight is now at 180 lb, yet body fat is still at
30%. Why? Did that person not lose any fat? Yes, he/she did. At 180 lb with 30%
body fat, the person now has 54 lb of body fat (30% of 180 lb = 54 lb), meaning that
6 lb of the total 20 lb lost were fat. So, do not be overly concerned if your percentage
of body fat does not change despite the fact that you are losing weight. Remember,
to minimize the loss of lean tissue, include regular physical activity, especially strength
training, in your weight loss plan.
Make the most of it!
To summarize, make the most of the body fat analysis feature by:
• Tracking change over time and not day to day.
• Using the same scale as much as possible.
• Being extra-consistent in the time of day, day of the week, time before or after food
and fluid consumption, before or after exercise, etc., when measuring body fat
composition.
Always keep in mind that you know your body best. The following ranges of
Body Fat Percentages are offered as guides:
Healthy Range
of Body Fat
Percentage
Body Water/Hydration Levels - What you need to know
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2001), the percentage of body water
should lie within the following ranges:
Women:
50-55%
Men:
60-65%
Children:
65-75%
While a scale/body fat monitor can be a useful tool on your weight-loss journey,
it’s not in and of itself a program for losing weight. Studies show that people
lose three times more weight on Weight Watchers than they do on their own.*
Bone Mass - What Is It?
Bone is a living, growing tissue. During youth, your body makes new bone tissue faster
than it breaks down older bone. In young adulthood, bone mass is at its peak; after that,
bone loss starts to outpace bone growth, and bone mass decreases. But it’s a long and
a very slow process that can be slowed down even more through calcium-rich diets and
weight-bearing exercise.
Who should monitor bone mass?
Most people have no need to monitor bone mass, but certain groups – postmenopausal
women, men and women with certain diseases, and anyone who takes medications that
affect bone tissue might want to watch for any decrease in bone mass.
How to monitor bone mass at home
Program your Weight Watcher Scale and watch as built-in BIA technology measures bone
mass every time you weigh yourself.
Typical ranges for bone mass:
Men: 6.5-8.5% Women: 5-7%
The bone mass reading is to be used as a guide only. Watch for trends over time and
contact your healthcare provider for a more detailed explanation of the readings, and
with any questions or concerns.
Age
Female
Males
18-39
21-32%
8-19%
40-59
23-33%
11-21%
60-79
24-35%
13-24%
Service Centre:
Conair Consumer Products Inc.
156 Parkshore Drive,
Brampton, Ontario.
L6T 5M1
Made in China
Consumer Call Centre E-mail:
1-800-472-7606
www.conaircanada.ca
*Heshka S, et al. Two-Year Randomized Controlled Study of Self-Help Weight Loss vs. A Structured Commercial Program.
The FASEB Journal 2001; 15(4):A623
©2006 Weight Watchers International Inc. All rights reserved. Weight Watchers is the
registered trademark of Weight Watchers International Inc. and used under license.
IB-7121
06CN1262
Scales by
Instructions
for use of
Weight Watchers
bathroom scale
Congratulations! By purchasing this
Weight Watchers Scale, you’ve made the first step
toward taking control of your weight. To get the
greatest benefit from your purchase, please read
this entire brochure before using your scale.
Model #WW77WC
