How exactly is my body fat and water being measured?
The Taylor Body Analyzer Scale uses a measurement method known as
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). A minute current is sent through
your body, via your feet and legs. This current flows 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 cur-
rent), the quantity of muscle can be determined. From this, the quantity of
fat and water can then be estimated.
What is the value of the current passing through me when the meas-
urement is taken? Is it safe?
The current is less than 1mA, which is tiny and perfectly safe. You will 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.
If I measure my body fat and water at different times during the
day, it can vary quite considerably. Which value is correct?
Your body fat percentage reading varies with body water content, and the
latter changes throughout the course of the day. There is no right or wrong
time of the day to take a reading, but aim to take measurements at a regular
time when you consider your body to be normally hydrated. Avoid taking
readings after having a bath or sauna, following intensive exercise, or within
1-2 hours of drinking in quantity or eating a meal.
My friend has a Body Fat Analyzer made by another manufacturer.
When I used it I found that I got a different body fat reading to that
on my Taylor Body Analyzer Scale. Why is this?
Different Body Fat Analyzers take measurements around different parts of
the body and use different mathematic algorithms to calculate the percent-
age of body fat.The best advice is to not make comparisons from one device
to another, but to use the same device each time to monitor any change.
Why are the body fat percentage ranges for men and women so dif-
ferent?
Women naturally carry a higher percentage of fat than men, because the
make-up of the body is different being geared towards pregnancy, breast-
feeding etc.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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