Instructions
for use of
Weight Watchers
bathroom scale
Scales by
Congratulations! By purchasing this
Weight Watchers Scale, you’ve made the
first step towards taking control of your
weight. To get the greatest benefit from
your purchase, please read this entire
brochure before using your scale.
Model WW33C
IB-5877
*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
©2004 Conair Consumer Products Inc. 156 Parkshore Drive, Brampton, Ontario L6T 5M1, Made in
China
©2005 Weight Watchers International Inc. All rights reserved. Weight Watchers is the
registered trademark of Weight Watchers International Inc. and used under license.
Weight And Body Fat!
How does it work?
While body fat can be measured in many ways, the method used in your
scale is bioelectrical 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 throughbone 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 weigh-
ing and different 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.
Why do I lose weight but my body fat doesn’t change much?
Most body fat monitors show body fat as a percentage only. This body fat
monitor shows you not only a percentage but the actual number of body
fat pounds (in fact, this is the measurement you see after your weight is
displayed). Why is that important? When you lose weight, both the
numerator (pounds of body fat) and denominator (total body weight) go
down, so when it’s calculated as a body fat percentage, the number can
be small. For example, a person may weigh 200 pounds and have 40%
body fat (= 80 pounds of body fat). He/She loses 20 pounds, but the body
fat has only dropped 4% to 36%. That 4% of body fat was 16 pounds of
fat – a very significant amount! So do not be overly concerned if you do
not see the percentage change quickly as you are losing weight: monitor
the absolute number of body fat pounds lost. 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
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*.
Come to a meeting and learn from us the best way to lose and maintain
weight. Call 1-800-651-6000 or go to WeightWatchers.ca to find a
meeting near you.
Service Centre:
Conair Consumer Products Inc.
156 Parkshore Drive
Brampton, Ontario
L6T 5M1
1-800-472-7606
www.conaircanada.ca
ENGLISH
Age
Females
Males
18-39
21-32%
8-19%
40-59
23-33%
11-21%
60-79
24-35%
13-24%
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