MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The
GoWISE USA
Digital Body Fat Scale uses a measurement method known as Bioelectrical
Impedance Analysis (BIA). A minute electrical currenti s sentt hrough your feet and legs. This
currentf lows easily through the lean muscular tissue, which has a high fluid content, but not
easily through fat. Therefore, by measuring your body’s impedance (i.e. its resistance to the
current), the quantity oft he muscle can be determined, from which the quantity off at can then
be estimated.
What is the value o
f
safe?
the current passing through me when the measurementi s taken? Is it
The electrical current is less than 1mA. You may not be able to feel it. Please note however that
this device should not be used by anyone with an internal electronic medical device, such as a
pacemaker, as a precaution against disruption to that device.
Why is the Athlete mode necessary?
It has been found that body fat estimation using BIA could overestimate the percentage body
fat of adult elite athletes. The physiological variation of athletes in bone density and level of
hydration are two of the reasons said to account for the difference. The Athlete mode is
selectable only for adults 18 years of age or older.
What is the definition of an Athlete?
The general consensus among researchers is that a quantitative dimension could be used to
define an athlete. An athlete is considered to be a person who does 10 hours or more per week
of aerobic activity and has a resting heart rate of 60 beats per minute. These individuals should
select Athlete
Mode for the most accurate measurement results. This body fat scale is not
calibrated for professional athletes or body builders.
If I measure my body fat at a different time during the day, it can vary quite considerably.
Which value is correct?
Your body fat percentage reading varies with body water content, and body water content
changes throughout the day. There is no right or wrong time of day to take a reading; however,
for best results it is suggested that you take measurements at a regular time of day, when you
consider your body to be normally hydrated. Avoid taking readings after having a bath or sauna,
following extensive exercise, or within 1‐2 hours of drinking in quantity or eating a meal.
My friend has a body fat scale made by another manufacturer. When I used it, I get a
different body fat reading than when I use my
GoWISE USA
Body Fat Scale. Why is this?
Different body fat scales take measurements around different parts of the body and use
different mathematic algorithms to calculate the percentage of body fat. The best advice is not
to make comparisons from one device to another, but to use the same device each time to
monitor any change.
