QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
How exactly is my body fat and water being measured?
This Salter 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 current), 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 measurement 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 Analyser made by another manufacturer.When I used it I found that
I got a different body fat reading to that on my Salter Scale.Why is this?
Different Body Fat Analysers take measurements around different parts of the body and use different
mathematic algorithms to calculate the percentage 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.
How do I interpret my body fat and water percentage readings?
Please refer to the Body Fat and Water tables included with the product.They will guide you as to
whether your body fat and water reading falls into a healthy category (relative to your age and sex).
What should I do if my body fat reading is very 'high?
A sensible diet, fluid intake and exercise program can reduce your body fat percentage. Professional
medical guidance should always be sought before embarking on such a program.
Why are the body fat percentage ranges for men and women so different?
Women naturally carry a higher percentage of fat than men, because the make-up of the body is
different being geared towards pregnancy, breastfeeding etc.
What should I do if my water percentage reading is 'low'?
Ensure that you are regularly taking sufficient water and work towards moving your fat percentage
into the healthy range.
How do I use my Salter Scale whilst pregnant?
During pregnancy a woman's body composition changes considerably in order to support the
developing child. Under these circumstances, body fat percentage readings could be inaccurate and
misleading. PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD THEREFORE ONLY USE THE WEIGHT FUNCTION.
Why is this Salter Scale unsuitable for children?
The body composition of children requires different mathematic algorithms for the body fat calculation.
4
All manuals and user guides at all-guides.com
DISPLAY GUIDE / FUNCTION KEYS
DISPLAY:
PERSONAL DATA ENTRY
a) Press the SET button to activate the set-up procedure.
b) Within 3 seconds, select a user number (located top left
of the display) by pressing the L or M buttons. Press
the SET button to confirm your selection.
c) The male or female symbol will flash. Note that if
is displayed then Athlete Mode has been selected.
Press L button until the correct gender symbol is
flashing (with or without Althete mode as desired),
then press the SET button.
Athlete Mode: An athlete is defined as a person who
is involved in intense physical activity of approximately
12 hours per week and who has a resting heart rate of
approximately 60 beats per minute or less.
d) The height display will flash.
Press L or M as necessary to set your height,
then press the SET button.
e) The age display will flash.
Press L or M as necessary to set your age,
then press the SET button.
f) The display will show '-----' then zero before
switching off. The memory is then set.
g) Repeat procedure for a second user, or to change
user details.
Note: To update or overwrite the memorised data, follow
the same procedure, making changes as required.
FUNCTION KEYS:
5