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.
BMI
BMI stands for Body Mass Index, a statistical term derived from height and weight.
It is closely linked to body fat and health outcomes. Over 50 organizations, including
the US Government and the World Health Organization, have adopted BMI
guidelines. BMI is inversely related to fitness, meaning that the higher your BMI, the
less likely you are to be fit. Every time your body fat monitor reads your weight and
calculates your body fat, it also calculates your BMI. Along with your weight and your
body fat measurements, the BMI reading gives you yet one more tool to
monitor your health and fitness.
General guidelines for BMI are as follows:
BMI less than 19: underweight
BMI 19-25: healthy weight
BMI 25-30: overweight
BMI over 30: obese
BMI /Fitness Levels
In order to make your body fat and body water readings more accurate, your
monitor automatically calculates a BMI / Fitness Level for you, based on the personal
data you have entered, as well as measurements the scale takes. Why is that
important? People with different BMIs have differences in muscle mass and body
water levels. Do not be alarmed if you do not see rapid changes to your category
level: generally, your level will change as you lose weight and become more fit.
These changes happen gradually, though, and you may not see them reflected
for a few months of consistently following a diet and exercise regimen.
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 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
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 percentage 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
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:
Body Water/Hydration Levels:
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%
Weighing and weight maintenance
Once you lose weight, your scale will be a valuable tool in keeping it off.
Fluctuations in day-to-day weight tend to be smaller when weight is stable, so at
this point, a more frequent weigh-in pattern may be helpful. To keep lost weight off:
• Weigh yourself more often than once a week.
• Use the “5-pound rule” – research shows that people who keep weight within
a 5-pound range of their goal are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight over
the long term..
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.
BMI/Fitness Levels
Less Fit
More Fit
1 2 3 4 5
Healthy Range
of Body Fat
Percentage
Age
Female
Males
18-39
21-32%
8-19%
40-59
23-33%
11-21%
60-79
24-35%
13-24%
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.
Scales by
™
Model WW7010WC
Have a Question?
Please do not return this product to the retailer.
Call Us First!
Our customer service and product experts are ready to answer ALL
your questions.
Please call our TOLL-FREE customer service number at:
1-800-472-7606
or visit us online at www.conaircanada.ca
