Omron BF508, Manual, Page: 3 / 128

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Information on Body Composition
Principle of body composition calculation
Body fat has low electric conductivity
The BF508 measures the body fat percentage by the Bioelectrical Impedance (BI) method. Muscles, blood vessels
and bones are body tissues with a high water content that conducts electricity easily. Body fat is tissue that has little
electric conductivity. The BF508 sends an extremely weak electrical current of 50 kHz and less than 500

A through
your body to determine the amount of fat tissue. This weak electrical current is not felt while operating the BF508.
In order for the scale to determine your body composition, it uses the electrical impedance, along with your height,
weight, age and gender information to generate results based on OMRON’s data of body composition.
Measures the whole body to avoid the influence of fluctuations
During the course of a day, the amount of water in the body tends to gradually shift to the lower limbs. This is why
there is a tendency for the legs and ankles to swell in the evening or at night. The ratio of water in the upper body
and lower body is different in the morning and evening, and this means that the electrical impedance of the body
also varies. Since the BF508 uses electrodes for both hands and feet to take measurements, it can reduce the
influence of these fluctuations on measurement results.
Recommended measurement times
Understanding the normal changes in your body fat percentage can help you in preventing or reducing obesity.
Being aware of the times when the body fat percentages shift within your own daily schedule will assist you in
obtaining an accurate trending of your body fat. It is recommended to use this unit in the same environment and
daily circumstances. (See chart)
Avoid Taking Measurements Under the Following Conditions:
- Immediately after vigorous exercise, after a bath or sauna.
- After drinking alcohol or a large amount of water, after a meal (about 2 hours).
If a measurement is taken under these physical conditions, the calculated body composition may differ significantly
from the actual one because the water content in the body is changing.
Daily activities
Waking up
Breakfast
Lunch
Taking a bath or
eating dinner
Going to bed
Recommended time
Recommended time
Recommended time
Recommended time
2 hours
2 hours
2 hours
Before going to bed and about 2
hours or more after dinner or bath
Before lunch and about 2 hours or
more after breakfast
After waking up
In the afternoon about 2 hours or
more after lunch and before taking
a bath or eating dinner
Avoid measurement immediately
after eating or bathing.
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