11
lubricates joints and is a component of many body
fluids. The amount of water in the body fluctuates
with the hydration level of the body and state of
health. Monitoring the level of body water can be a
useful tool for one’s health maintenance. Similar to
body fat estimation, the %TBW function provided
in this scale is based on BIA.
The estimated %TBW may vary according to your
hydration level, that is, how much water you have
drunk or how much you have sweated immediately
prior to the measurement. For better accuracy,
avoid fluctuation in hydration level prior to the mea-
surement. The accuracy of the scale in estimating
TBW will also decrease with individuals suffering
from diseases that tend to accumulate water in the
body.
The optimal %TBW of an individual varies according
to age and gender.
The following chart and table may be used as a
guide:
Variation of % Total Body Water with Age and
Gender:
Source: University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, USA
.
Please be reminded that the % TBW estimated
with the scale represents only a good approxi-
mation of your TBW. There exist clinical
methods of estimating body fat that can be
ordered by your physician.
4. When should I use the scale’s body fat and
total body water functions?
For maximum accuracy and repeatability, it is
recommended that the scale’s body fat and total
body water functions be used at approximately the
same time of the day, e.g. before breakfast in the
morning. It is also a good practice to avoid swings
in hydration level of the body prior to the measure-
ment. Establishing your own baseline value of %BF
and %TBW and track their changes is better than
merely comparing your %BF and %TBW value to
the population’s normal value.
ABOUT ATHLETE MODE
5. Why is the Athlete Mode necessary in a Body
Fat Analyzer?
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 muscle density and level of hydration are two of
the reasons said to account for the difference.
The Athlete mode is selectable only for adults of 18
years of age or older.
ELECTRONIC BATHROOM SCALE - BODY FAT ANALYZER
80
70
60
50
0
3
6
9
12
5
10
15
20
3
4
5
6
months
years
decades
T
otal boby water (% of body weight)
men
women
% Body Fat Range Optimal % total
Body Water Range
4 to 14%
70 to 63%
15 to 21%
63 to 57%
22 to 24%
57 to 55%
25% and over
55 to 37%
4 to 20%
70 to 58%
21 to 29%
58 to 52%
30 to 32%
52 to 49%
33% and over
49 to 37%
Men
Women
