PRINCIPLES OF ESTIMATING BODY FAT PERCENTAGE
Tanita Body Fat Monitor/Scales allow you to determine your body fat
percentage at home as easily as you measure your weight.
What is Body Fat Percentage?
Body fat percentage is the percentage of fat in your body. Too much body
fat has been linked to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart
disease, diabetes, cancer, and other disabling conditions.
Body Fat Ranges for Standard Adults
Female
20–39
Age
40–59
60–79
0%
Male
20–39
Age
40–59
60–79
Underfat
The BIA Method
Tanita Body Fat Monitor/Scales use the BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance
Analysis) technique. In this method, a safe, low-level electrical signal is
passed through the body. It is difficult for the signal to flow through fat in
the human body, but easy to flow through moisture in the muscle and other
body tissues. The difficulty with which a signal flows through a substance
is called impedance. So the more resistance, or impedance, the signal
encounters, the higher the body fat reading.
Body Fat Percentage Fluctuations in a Day
Hydration levels in the body may affect body fat readings. Readings are
usually highest in the early waking hours, since the body tends to be
dehydrated after a long night's sleep. For the most accurate reading, a
person should take a body fat percentage reading at a consistent time of day
under consistent conditions.
Besides this basic cycle of fluctuations in the daily body fat readings,
variations may be caused by hydration changes in the body due to eating,
drinking, menstruation, illness, exercising, and bathing. Daily body fat
readings are unique to each person, and depend upon one's lifestyle, job
and activities.
1, 2
Underfat
Healthy
10%
20%
30%
Healthy
Overfat
Overfat
Obese
1
Based on NIH/WHO BMI Guidelines.
2
As reported by Gallagher, et al,
at NY Obesity Research Center.
To determine the percentage of body fat
40%
that is appropriate for your body,
consult your physician.
Obese
GB
Tanita's patented "foot-pad"
design sends a safe, low-
level electrical signal
through the body to
determine its composition.
2