How Does a Body Composition Monitor Work?
Who Can Use a Body Composition Monitor?
16
Body Composition Guide
This Body Composition Monitor is intended for adults aged 18-99 years. Children aged 5-17 years can use the monitor for weight only:
the other features are not applicable to children.
Thanks to major investment in the latest BIA Technology and sports science research, TANITA has upgraded the Athlete Mode function
to make measurements more accurate and suitable for a wider range of users.
Who should use Athlete Mode?
Adults aged 18 years and over who either:
・
Train or exercise for 12 hours or more a week and have been doing so for at least six months.
・
Are body builders.
・
Are professional athletes who want to monitor their progress at home.
・
Have a lifetime history of fitness and who used to do more than 12 hours a week but do less now.
Pregnant women should only use the weight function.
Other functions are not intended for use when pregnant.
This Body Composition Monitor is intended for home use only. It is not intended for professional use in places such as hospitals or
medical or fitness facilities. It is not designed for such heavy usage. Using the monitor in this type of professional environment will
invalidate the warranty.
This Body Composition Monitor product provides readings for informational purposes only.
This product is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or abnormalities. Please consult your physician if you have any questions
or concerns related to your health.
Tanita Body Composition Monitors calculate your body composition using Dual Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA).
Safe, low-level electrical signals are passed through the body via the Tanita foot pads on the monitor platform. The signal can flow
easily through fluids in muscles and other body tissue but meets resistance as it passes through body fat, because body fat only
contains a small amount of fluid. This resistance is called impedance. The impedance readings are then entered into medically
researched mathematical formulas to calculate your body composition.
The Tanita RD-953 incorporates medical grade Dual Frequency BIA technology,allowing
you to have the highest body composition accuracy in the comfort of your home.
Research has shown that using two different bioelectrical impedance frequencies,
provides essential data of a person's intracellular and extracelluar status. This advanced
technology allows greater accuracy when calculating body composition measurements.
When Is the Best Time To Use My Body Composition Monitor?
Your body water levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day and night. Any significant changes in body water may affect your body
composition readings. For example, the body tends to be dehydrated after a long night sleep so if you take a reading first thing in the
morning your weight will be lower and your body fat percentage higher. Eating large meals, drinking alcohol, menstruation, illness,
exercising, and bathing may also cause variations in your hydration levels.
To get the most reliable reading it is important to use your Body Composition Monitor at a consistent time of day under consistent
conditions. A good time to take measurements is before your evening meal.
High Frequency Current
High Frequency Current
Cell Membrane
Cell Membrane
Low Frequency Current
Low Frequency Current
en
(Applicable age 18-99)
17
What Is Body Fat Percentage?
Body fat percentage is the amount of body fat as a proportion of your body weight.
Reducing excess levels of body fat has shown to reduce the risk of certain conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease,
diabetes and cancer. The chart below shows the healthy ranges for body fat.
Your Body Composition Monitor automatically compares your body fat percentage reading to the Healthy Body Fat Range chart.
Underfat: below the healthy body fat range. Increased risk for health problems.
Standard
(-)
/Standard
(
+
)
: within the healthy body fat percentage range for your age/gender.
Overfat: above the healthy range. Increased risk for health problems.
Obese: high above the healthy body fat range. Greatly increased risk of obesity-related health problems.
Body Fat Ranges for Standard Children
1,2
Body Fat Ranges for Standard Adults
3,4
Susan Jebb et al. New Body Fat Reference Curves for
Children. Obesity Rsearch 2004; 12:A156-157
HD McCarthy et al. Body Fat Reference Curves for
Children. Int J Obes 2006; 30: 598-602
Gallagher D et al. Healthy percentage body fat
ranges:an approach for developing guidelines based
on body mass index. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 72:
694-701
Based on NIH/WHO BMI Guidelines
1
2
3
4
Underfat
Standard
(-)
Standard
(
+
)
Overfat
Obese
en