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Useful Information
What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?
BMI uses the following simple formula to indicate the ratio between weight and height of a person.
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m) / height (m)
The OMRON HBF-358-BW uses the height information stored in your personal profile number or when entering
information in the Guest Mode to calculate your BMI classification.
If the fat level revealed by BMI is higher than the international standard, there is an increased likelihood of common
diseases. However, not all types of fat can be revealed by BMI.
What is RESTING METABOLISM?
Regardless of your activity level, a minimum level of energy is required to sustain the body’s everyday functions.
Resting metabolism, the amount of calories needed to supply the body with the minimum level of energy, differs
between individuals depending on variables such as age, weight, body composition, and energy expenditure.
What is BODY AGE?
Body age is based on your resting metabolism. Body age is calculated by using your weight and body fat
percentage to produce a guide to judge whether your body age is above or below the average for your actual age.
To know your body age is useful to improve your health condition.
What is Body Fat Percentage?
Body fat percentage refers to the amount of body fat mass in regards to the total body weight expressed as a
percentage.
Body fat percentage (%) = {Body fat mass (kg) / Body weight (kg)} × 100
Our device uses BI method to estimate your body fat percentage.
Depending on where fat is distributed in the body, it is classified as visceral fat or subcutaneous fat.
What is Visceral Fat Level?
Visceral fat = fat surrounding internal organs
Too much visceral fat is thought to be closely linked to increased levels of fat in the
bloodstream, which may lead to conditions such as high cholesterol, heart disease and
type 2 diabetes. In order to prevent or improve conditions of common diseases, it is
important to try and reduce visceral fat levels to an acceptable level. People with high
visceral fat levels tend to have large stomachs. However, this is not always the case and
high visceral fat levels can lead to metabolically obese. Metabolically obese (visceral
obesity with normal weight) represents fat levels that are higher than average, even if a
person’s weight is at or below the standard for their height.
What is Subcutaneous Fat?
Subcutaneous fat = fat below the skin
Subcutaneous fat not only accumulates around the stomach but also around the upper
arms, hips and thighs, and can cause a distortion of the body's proportions. Although not
directly linked to increased risk of disease, it is thought to increase pressure on the heart
and other complications. Subcutaneous fat is not displayed in this unit, but is included in
the body fat percentage.
The reason calculated results may differ from actual body fat percentage
The body fat percentage measured by this unit may significantly differ from the actual body fat percentage in
the following situations:
Elderly people / People with a fever / Body builders or highly trained athletes / Patients undergoing dialysis /
Patients with osteoporosis who have very low bone density / Children in growth stage / Pregnant women /
People with swelling
These differences may be related to changing ratios of body fluid and/or body composition.
Sample Visceral Fat
(MRI image)
Sample Subcutaneous
Fat (MRI image)
HBF-904-APBW.fm Page 3 Friday, October 28, 2011 5:00 PM