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IM TFA NAUTIC OK
7/03/05
ELECTRONIC BATHROOM SCALE - BODY FAT ANALYZER
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW
BEFORE USING YOUR BODY FAT SCALE
Before using the scale, you should know...
ABOUT BODY FAT
1. Why is it important to monitor percentage
body fat (%BF)?
The absolute weight traditionally determines
whether or not a person is obese. Weight change in
itself does not indicate whether it was the weight
of body fat or muscle that had changed. In weight
management, it is desirable that muscle mass be
maintained while body fat is lost. Thus, monitoring
the percentage fat of the body is an important step
toward successful weight management and body
health.
The optimal %BF of an individual varies according
to age and gender.
The table that follows may be used as a guide:
Standard for Men
Rating
20-29
Low
<13%
Optimal
14-20% 15-21% 17-23% 18-24% 19-25%
Moderate
21-23% 22-24% 24-26% 25-27% 26-28%
High
>23%
Source: University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, USA.
Standard for Women
Rating
20-29
Low
<19%
Optimal
20-28% 21-29% 22-30% 23-31% 24-32%
Moderate
29-31% 30-32% 31-33% 32-33% 33-35%
High
>31%
Source: University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago, USA.
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Age
30-39
40-49
50-59
60+
<14%
<16%
<17%
<18%
>24%
>26%
>27%
>28%
Age
30-39
40-49
50-59
60+
<20%
<21%
<22%
<23%
>32%
>33%
>34%
>35%
2. How is percentage body fat (%BF) estimated?
%BF is measured by a method called Bioelectrical
Impedance Analysis (BIA). The use of BIA to
estimate body fat has been pioneered since the
seventies. It was only in the past few years that
the estimation of body fat using BIA technology
was successfully offered to the consumers as a
compact bathroom scale.
With the BIA technology, a low intensity electrical
signal is sent through the body. The signal is very
low and causes no bodily harm. Depending on the
amount of body fat of the individual, the electrical
signal will flow with a different degree of difficulty.
The difficulty with which a signal flows through the
body is called electrical impedance. Hence, by
measuring the electrical impedance and applying
to the data a proprietary algorithm, %BF can be
estimated.
Please be reminded that the %BF estimated with
the scale represents only a good approximation
of your actual body fat. There exist clinical
methods of estimating body fat that can be
ordered by your physician.
ABOUT BODY WATER
3. Why is it important to monitor percentage
Total Body Water (%TBW) in the body?
Water is an essential component of the body and its
level is one of the health-indicators. Water makes
up approximately between 50-70% of the body's
weight. It is present proportionally more in lean
tissue compared to fat tissue. Water is a medium for
biochemical reactions that regulate body functions.
Waste products are carried in water from cells for
excretion in urine and sweat. Water provides form
to cells; helps to maintain body temperature;
provides moisture to skin and mucosa; cushions
vital organs;
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