Body fat scales use a technology called bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure body fat. Because it takes different amounts of time for the signal to pass through fat muscle bone and water the time it takes it to move from one side of your body to the other can be used to estimate body fat.
The 6 Best Ways To Measure Body Fat Percentage Daily Burn
Body fat measurement device how does it work. Fat is a poor conductor of electricity compared to other components of the body such as muscle. Bia measures the electrical conductivity of your body. There are also hand held devices and scales which measure body fat but these are often inaccurate. The device detects the amount of fat based on the speed at which the signal travels. The device measures your weight and volume to determine your body density then uses these figures to calculate your percentage of body fat. The handheld machines sometimes used to measure body fat rely on bioelectrical impedance which estimates your body fat using a painless electrical signal thats sent through your body.
As you hold the device in both hands an imperceptible electrical current passes through your body. A dexa scan can also measure visceral fat abdominal fat which is often associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Measurements are taken at either 3 or 7 different sites on the body. Muscle tissue in your body contains a high. As for accuracy a handheld bia device has about a 35 5 margin of error. Most importantly dexa body composition technology provides regional body fat results trunk arms legs pelvis and androidgynoid regions.
A slower traveling signal usually indicates a higher body fat percent. For our purposes the easiest and most accurate choice is the caliper method. Skinfold calipers measure the thickness of your subcutaneous fat the fat underneath the skin at certain body locations. The caliper method which you can learn to do yourself measures skin folds and then puts those measurements into a formula. Similarly a faster speed indicates less resistance and a lower body fat percent. A small unnoticeable electrical current is sent from one foot up one leg and down the other leg.