I have measured my body fat on two different models of the Tanita Body Fat Monitor and there is a 3% difference in my readings. Why is this?

I have measured my body fat on two different models of the Tanita Body Fat Monitor and there is a 3% difference in my readings. Why is this?

The measurement provided by Tanita body fat monitors is based on formulas derived from extensive research. Like any medical research, this information is constantly being updated. It could be that one of the models you have tried is an older model body fat monitor, based on research current at that time. If you step from an older model on to a newer generation body fat monitor, developed following more recent research, you may well find a difference in readings

Sometimes, if I get on the body fat monitor twice in one day or two days in a row, there can be a difference in my reading. Is the monitor inaccurate?Because BIA relies on your body's level of hydration, your body fat reading can fluctuate on a daily basis. It can also differ from morning to evening depending on what you eat, drink and the amount of exercise you do. Women will also find their reading changes during the menstrual cycle. To ensure consistent readings you should try to use the body fat monitor at the same time of day, under the same conditions each time. We recommend you try to use the monitor in the early evening, before you eat your evening meal. Most importantly, because body fat levels change slowly over a period of weeks, try to look for the long-term trend in your readings.  What conditions might cause skewed results or an Error reading in the display?
  • An error in the set-up (Male/Female?, Adult/Child/Athlete?, Height?)
  • Severe dehydration.
  • Oedema (water retention)
  • Anything that abnormally affects weight -eg: excess food consumption, a very full bladder, holding heavy objects, etc.
  • Severe callouses on the heels or soles of the feet.
  • Dampness of the feet (eg. after a bath) or if the skin of the feet is very warm.
  • If the footpads on the body fat monitor are dirty this may interfere with conductivity.
  • Do not wear anything on your feet - not even tights - as the electrical conductivity may be affected.
  • Medical implants such as a steel plate in the leg, an artificial hip joint, or breast implants will affect the readings although the body fat monitors are still safe to use with these conditions.
 How much body fat is healthy?

The ideal proportion of body fat varies according to gender, age and body type. Biologically, women should have more body fat than men. As we get older, our body fat percentage will also increase slightly.

 Healthy body fat percentage for standard adults
1. Based on NIH/WHO BMI Guidelines.
2. As reported by Gallagher at NY Obesity Research Center. Tanita's Body Fat Monitors with the Healthy Range Indicator instantly compare your body fat reading to the recommended range for your age and gender.  

My weight is normal and I am reasonably fit. Why is my body fat % high?

The body fat monitor is designed for the average person with a sedentary lifestyle. People who do a lot of exercise (more than 10 hours a week) will have a different body composition and as a result the monitor may overestimate body fat levels for these people. Even if you do slightly less than 10 hours activity a week but have trained regularly and at an intense level throughout your life, the standard monitor function, may not be accurate. For this reason, certain Tanita body fat monitors incorporate a bespoke Athlete Mode to reflect the different body composition and hydration levels of active people.  

Body Fat: What are the benefits of measuring it?


No! Measuring your weight alone does not give you the full picture about your health. It is quite possible to have an acceptable weight and figure and yet still have a high level of internal body fat. In order to be really healthy we need to be aware of how much of our total weight is made up of fat. Keeping body fat within the healthy ranges, is a big step towards lowering the risk of all the health problems associated with excess body fat. If you are trying to lose weight quickly, your weight loss could be from water or healthy muscle tissue. For sustained and healthy weight loss, you need to ensure that the loss is from body fat. Conversely, if you are following a healthy diet and exercising and don't appear to be losing any weight, you could actually be reducing your body fat and replacing it with newly developed kilos of lean muscle tissue, which is heavier than fat. Whereas traditional scales only measure bodyweight, a Body Fat Monitor from Tanita also calculates your body fat percentage, providing a real insight into the composition of your body and a truer reading of your health.

 

Body Fat: What should I do if my body fat % is too high?

 

Try making small adjustments to your lifestyle and diet. Cut down a little on dietary fats and eat lots of healthy fruit and vegetables. At the same time increase the amount of exercise you do. This will help you to achieve long lasting changes in your life. Expect the fat percentage to go down slowly - and stay down! If you are concerned about your body fat you should consult a doctor before starting an exercise regime.

 

Body Fat: Why do we need it?

Everybody needs a little fat to be healthy. Some body fat is vital to basic bodily functions such as regulating body temperature, storing vitamins and cushioning joints and organs. However, when the intake of energy through food and drink exceeds the energy required for exercise and the metabolic processes occurring in the body, then we store this excess as fat.

 

 

Dieting: How does it impact the Tanita readings? At first you may see a slight rise in body fat percentage as you lose body water in the early stages of a diet. However, keep trying! As you start to burn body fat, the reading will decline in a slow but steady rate to the desired level.