Difference between revisions of "Body Fat Scales"

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Body fat scales
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Body fat scales can provide a cost-effective and convenient way of measuring body fat. It's best to get fat scales that measure from both the hands and feet, rather than from either the feet or hands alone. Also, consider [[Skulpt]] which is an alternative way of measuring body fat.
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The right body fat scales can provide a cost-effective and convenient way of measuring body fat. The right body fat scales are ones which measure from the hands and feet, rather than the feet alone.  
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=How They Work=
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Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) scales use an imperceptible electrical signal to calculate the amount of water in the body and thus estimate body fat. BIA compares the electrical resistance of a direct current to an alternating current. The direct current does not penetrate the cell walls whereas the alternating current does. This creates a difference that allows an estimate of extracellular water.
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=How they work=
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==Two or Four Electrodes==
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These Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) scales use an imperceptible electrical signal to calculate the amount of water in the body. From this Total Body Water (TBW), it is possible to estimate body fat. You can see in the image below the path electricity takes with scales that measure via feet.
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BIA scales either have two electrodes that measure from the feet, or four electrodes that measure from both the hands and the feet. You can see in the images below the path electricity takes with scales that measure via feet only compared with when measurements are from the hands and feet. I would not recommend any BIA scales that measure from the feet only. There are also BIA devices that measure from the arms only, but these suffer from similar problems. <jfs id="B00006WNPU" noreferb="true"/>
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[[File:Human Figure Lower.jpg|none|thumb|300px|The path taken by body fat scales that only measure between the feet.]]
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{| class="wikitable"
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By comparison, you can see the path taken when measurements are from the hands and feet.
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|- valign="top"
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[[File:Human Figure Full.jpg|none|thumb|300px|The path taken by body fat scales that measure from the hands and feet.]]
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|[[File:Human Figure Lower.jpg|none|thumb|300px|The path taken by body fat scales that only measure between the feet.]]
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|[[File:Human Figure Full.jpg|none|thumb|300px|The path taken by body fat scales that measure from the hands and feet.]]
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=Recommended scales – Omron HBF-510=
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|}
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Having tried several body fat scales I would highly recommend the Omron HBF-510, which retails for about $60-$65 on Amazon.com. The scales measure from both the hands and feet providing reasonable accuracy for relatively low cost.
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==Segmental==
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[[File:Omron HBF-510.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The most cost effective body fat scale, the Omron HBF-510.]]
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Most body fat scales treat the body is a single cylinder with uniform resistance. Unfortunately, because the arms and legs are thinner than the trunk they contributed disproportionate amount of resistance. Typically arms and legs are about 5 to 20% of body weight, but form about half of the overall resistance, while the trunk contains 50% of the body mass and contribute only 5 to 10% of the overall resistance. A segmental scale on the other hand, segments the body up into five cylinders, two for the arms to for the legs and one for the trunk, giving higher accuracy.
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To use the scales you simply step on them holding the handset with your arms at 90°. After a few seconds these scales will display your weight, body fat and other metrics.
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==Single or Dual Frequency==
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[[File:Omron HBF-510 correct posture.jpg|none|thumb|200px|The correct posture.]]
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Body fat scales use a small, high frequency electrical signal to estimate body fat. It's been known for some time that using more than one frequency can improve accuracy, but consumer grade scales did not support dual frequency until 2017. Typically, the alternating current is around 50 kHz, with dual frequency scales adding in 6.25 kHz for improved accuracy.  
−
It's important to get the posture just right, as even small variations in arm position make a significant change to the reading.
+
=Accuracy Issues=
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[[File:Omron HBF-510 posture errors.jpg|none|thumb|400px|Posture errors.]]
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Hydration can have a significant impact on the reading, so readings need to be taken at the same time of day with the same level of hydration. The [[Book Review - The 4 Hour Body|4 Hour Body]] recommends drinking 1.5 liters (3 pints) of water, waiting 30 minutes, urinating and then taking a measurement. I have found that with the whole body scales I can simply measure when I wake in the morning and I get a consistent enough reading to not require this hydration procedure. The biggest problem for an athlete is that BIA is particularly inaccurate when fat free mass, including [[Glycogen]], changes<ref name="BIA1"/><ref name="BIA2"/>. I've noticed that the day after a long run, the scales claim a much larger loss of body fat than is reasonable. Studies have shown that obesity is underestimated with many body fat scales.  
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+
==Optimizing Accuracy==
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=Worth considering – Tanita BC-601=
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My approach to optimizing my scales accuracy is average and calibrate. My Tanita BC-601 scales offer several activity levels, so I find the level that matches a more accurate body fat measurement such as a [[DEXA| DEXA Scan]]. I then use an average of a week's readings to even out any hydration errors.
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The Tanita BC-601 is a much more expensive set of body fat scales. In addition to measuring from the hands and feet, the scales use dual frequencies (see below) for greater accuracy. They also segment the body into five compartments, two arms, two legs, and the trunk, giving body fat readings for each compartment. The scales also write the measurements to a flash memory card for direct transfer to computer. Sadly, the scales are not sold directly the US and I imported mine from the UK which was expensive and remarkably time-consuming. With shipping I paid 185 GBP ($280) from [http://www.scalesexpress.com/ http://www.scalesexpress.com], who messed up shipping the scales took nearly 2 months to be delivered. Given the price it's difficult to recommend the scales over the Omron scales. Tanita do sell other segmental scales in the US, such as the BC-558 Ironman, but these retail for over $350 and don't write to memory card.
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==Posture and Accuracy==
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[[File:Tanita BC-601.jpg|none|thumb|200px|Tanita BC-601.]]
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With BIA scales it's important to get the posture just right, as even small variations in the position of your arms can make a significant change to the reading. You must hold the handset with your arms at 90° with your elbows straight.
−
 
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
=Accuracy issues=
+
|- valign="top"
−
Hydration can have a significant impact on the reading, so readings need to be taken at the same time of day with the same level of hydration. The [[Book Review - The 4 Hour Body|4 Hour Body]] recommend drinking 1.5 liters (3 pints) of water, waiting 30 minutes, urinating and then taking a measurement. I have found that with the whole body scales I can simply measure when I wake in the morning and get a consistent enough reading to not require this hydration procedure. The biggest problem for an athlete is that BIA is particularly inaccurate when fat free mass, including glycogen, changes<ref name="BIA1"/><ref name="BIA2"/>. I've noticed that the day after a long run, the scales claim a much larger loss of body fat than is reasonable. Studies have shown that obesity is underestimated with many body fat scales.
+
[[File:Omron HBF-510 correct posture.jpg|none|thumb|x300px|The correct posture.]]
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+
[[File:Omron HBF-510 posture errors.jpg|none|thumb|x300px|Posture errors.]]
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=Details=
+
|}
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Body fat scales work by comparing the electrical resistance of a direct current to alternating current. The direct current does not penetrate the cell walls whereas the alternating current does. This creates a difference that allows an estimate of extracellular water. Typically the alternating current is around 50 kHz, with dual frequency scales adding in 6.25 kHz for improved accuracy. Single frequency scales generally treat the body is a single cylinder with uniform resistance. Unfortunately because the arms and legs are thinner than the trunk they contributed disproportionate amount of resistance. Typically arms and legs are about 5 to 20% of body weight, but form about half of the overall resistance, while the trunk contains 50% of the body mass and contribute only 5 to 10% of the overall resistance. Dual frequency scales on the other hand segment the body up into five cylinders, two for the arms to for the legs and one for the trunk, giving much higher accuracy.
+
=Glycogen Changes=
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=WiFi Scales=
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One study<ref name="ShioseYamada2018"/> concluded that changes in [[Glycogen]] storage shouldn't change body fat estimates using bioimpedence.  
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The [http://www.withings.com/en/bodyscale Withings body fat scale] is noteworthy because it is Wi-Fi enabled. This allows it to upload the data directly to the Internet where it can be viewed on any web browser. This makes it easy to visualize and track the changes in your weight and body fat. Unfortunately the scales only measure between the feet, and so their body fat accuracy is limited.
+
=Recommended Scales=
 +
I have tried a number of scales over the years and I believe the Omron HBF-516 is the best value for money, but the Tanita Segmental scales may worth the extra cost for their improved accuracy. I would avoid any scale that only measures via your feet.
 +
==Best Value - Omron HBF-516==
 +
The Omron HBF-516 offers great value for money and are one of the cheapest BIA scales that measure from the hands and feet. It's not segmental, so you only get an overall body fat estimate, and it's only single frequency, but it's really cheap. In fact, it's cheaper than a lot of feet-only body fat scales, though unlike Tanita scales, it's not FDA approved. There's no recording of the data, so you'd need to write down the results to track your weight and fitness. There's a 180-day memory, so at least you wouldn't have to do that every day, but I'd still recommend transferring the data to something that will graph your data. Omron makes a few variants of this scale, such as the HBF-514C, HBF-510W (white, no memory).  
 +
{{BuyAmazon| AZN=omron body fat scales}}
 +
==Segmental - Tanita FitScan BC-601FS==
 +
The BC-601F is one of the cheaper Tanita single-frequency, segmental BIA scales and it will record your data onto an SD card. This is far less convenient than a Smartphone app, but it's a lot better than writing things down each day. <jfs id="B016APIYQK" noreferb="true"/>.
 +
[[File:Tanita FitScan BC-601FS.jpg|center|thumb|300px|]]
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==The Best – Tanita RD-545IM==
 +
The Tanita RD-545IM is the first consumer grade dual frequency segmental scale. The dual frequency gives increased accuracy, and the RD-545IM even claims to estimate Muscle Quality and measure resting heart rate. The RD-545IM uses a smartphone app, which is nicer than an SD card. Unfortunately, the RD-545IM is not yet released, but should be available soon.
 +
[[File:RD-545IM.jpg|center|thumb|300px|]]
 +
==Comparison Table==
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
 +
!
 +
! Omron MBF-516
 +
! Tanita BC-601FS
 +
! Tanita RD-545IM
 +
|-
 +
| Whole body
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Segmental
 +
| No
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Dual Frequency
 +
| No
 +
| No
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Capacity
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| 330 Lb
 +
| 330 Lb
 +
| 440 Lb
 +
|-
 +
| Weight
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| BMI
 +
| Yes
 +
| No
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Body Fat %
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Muscle Mass
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Water %
 +
| No
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Bone Mass
 +
| No
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Visceral Fat
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Fat % per limb
 +
| No
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Muscle Mass per limb
 +
| No
 +
| Yes
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Muscle Quality
 +
| No
 +
| No
 +
| Yes
 +
|-
 +
| Data recording
 +
| Memory
 +
| SD Card
 +
| Smartphone App
 +
|}
 
=References=
 
=References=
 
<references>
 
<references>
 
<ref name="BIA1">Body composition changes assessed by bioelectrical impedance measurements http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2923071</ref>
 
<ref name="BIA1">Body composition changes assessed by bioelectrical impedance measurements http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2923071</ref>
 
<ref name="BIA2">Changes in fat-free mass during weight loss measured by bioelectrical impedance and by densitometry http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2912008</ref>
 
<ref name="BIA2">Changes in fat-free mass during weight loss measured by bioelectrical impedance and by densitometry http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2912008</ref>
 +
<ref name="ShioseYamada2018">Keisuke Shiose, Yosuke Yamada, Keiko Motonaga, Hideyuki Takahashi, Muscle glycogen depletion does not alter segmental extracellular and intracellular water distribution measured using bioimpedance spectroscopy, Journal of Applied Physiology, volume 124, issue 6, 2018, pages 1420–1425, ISSN [http://www.worldcat.org/issn/8750-7587 8750-7587], doi [http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00666.2017 10.1152/japplphysiol.00666.2017]</ref>
 
</references>
 
</references>

Latest revision as of 10:52, 22 April 2019

Body fat scales can provide a cost-effective and convenient way of measuring body fat. It's best to get fat scales that measure from both the hands and feet, rather than from either the feet or hands alone. Also, consider Skulpt which is an alternative way of measuring body fat.

1 How They Work

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) scales use an imperceptible electrical signal to calculate the amount of water in the body and thus estimate body fat. BIA compares the electrical resistance of a direct current to an alternating current. The direct current does not penetrate the cell walls whereas the alternating current does. This creates a difference that allows an estimate of extracellular water.

1.1 Two or Four Electrodes

BIA scales either have two electrodes that measure from the feet, or four electrodes that measure from both the hands and the feet. You can see in the images below the path electricity takes with scales that measure via feet only compared with when measurements are from the hands and feet. I would not recommend any BIA scales that measure from the feet only. There are also BIA devices that measure from the arms only, but these suffer from similar problems. Error: Could not parse data from Amazon!

The path taken by body fat scales that only measure between the feet.
The path taken by body fat scales that measure from the hands and feet.

1.2 Segmental

Most body fat scales treat the body is a single cylinder with uniform resistance. Unfortunately, because the arms and legs are thinner than the trunk they contributed disproportionate amount of resistance. Typically arms and legs are about 5 to 20% of body weight, but form about half of the overall resistance, while the trunk contains 50% of the body mass and contribute only 5 to 10% of the overall resistance. A segmental scale on the other hand, segments the body up into five cylinders, two for the arms to for the legs and one for the trunk, giving higher accuracy.

1.3 Single or Dual Frequency

Body fat scales use a small, high frequency electrical signal to estimate body fat. It's been known for some time that using more than one frequency can improve accuracy, but consumer grade scales did not support dual frequency until 2017. Typically, the alternating current is around 50 kHz, with dual frequency scales adding in 6.25 kHz for improved accuracy.

2 Accuracy Issues

Hydration can have a significant impact on the reading, so readings need to be taken at the same time of day with the same level of hydration. The 4 Hour Body recommends drinking 1.5 liters (3 pints) of water, waiting 30 minutes, urinating and then taking a measurement. I have found that with the whole body scales I can simply measure when I wake in the morning and I get a consistent enough reading to not require this hydration procedure. The biggest problem for an athlete is that BIA is particularly inaccurate when fat free mass, including Glycogen, changes[1][2]. I've noticed that the day after a long run, the scales claim a much larger loss of body fat than is reasonable. Studies have shown that obesity is underestimated with many body fat scales.

2.1 Optimizing Accuracy

My approach to optimizing my scales accuracy is average and calibrate. My Tanita BC-601 scales offer several activity levels, so I find the level that matches a more accurate body fat measurement such as a DEXA Scan. I then use an average of a week's readings to even out any hydration errors.

2.2 Posture and Accuracy

With BIA scales it's important to get the posture just right, as even small variations in the position of your arms can make a significant change to the reading. You must hold the handset with your arms at 90° with your elbows straight.

The correct posture.
Posture errors.

3 Glycogen Changes

One study[3] concluded that changes in Glycogen storage shouldn't change body fat estimates using bioimpedence.

4 Recommended Scales

I have tried a number of scales over the years and I believe the Omron HBF-516 is the best value for money, but the Tanita Segmental scales may worth the extra cost for their improved accuracy. I would avoid any scale that only measures via your feet.

4.1 Best Value - Omron HBF-516

The Omron HBF-516 offers great value for money and are one of the cheapest BIA scales that measure from the hands and feet. It's not segmental, so you only get an overall body fat estimate, and it's only single frequency, but it's really cheap. In fact, it's cheaper than a lot of feet-only body fat scales, though unlike Tanita scales, it's not FDA approved. There's no recording of the data, so you'd need to write down the results to track your weight and fitness. There's a 180-day memory, so at least you wouldn't have to do that every day, but I'd still recommend transferring the data to something that will graph your data. Omron makes a few variants of this scale, such as the HBF-514C, HBF-510W (white, no memory).

helping-hand.jpg
Please support this site

This review was made possible by readers like you buying products via my links. I buy all the products I review through normal retail channels, which allows me to create unbiased reviews free from the influence of reciprocity, or the need to keep vendors happy. It also ensures I don't get "reviewer specials" that are better than the retail versions.

4.2 Segmental - Tanita FitScan BC-601FS

The BC-601F is one of the cheaper Tanita single-frequency, segmental BIA scales and it will record your data onto an SD card. This is far less convenient than a Smartphone app, but it's a lot better than writing things down each day. Error: Could not parse data from Amazon!.

Tanita FitScan BC-601FS.jpg

4.3 The Best – Tanita RD-545IM

The Tanita RD-545IM is the first consumer grade dual frequency segmental scale. The dual frequency gives increased accuracy, and the RD-545IM even claims to estimate Muscle Quality and measure resting heart rate. The RD-545IM uses a smartphone app, which is nicer than an SD card. Unfortunately, the RD-545IM is not yet released, but should be available soon.

RD-545IM.jpg

4.4 Comparison Table

Omron MBF-516 Tanita BC-601FS Tanita RD-545IM
Whole body Yes Yes Yes
Segmental No Yes Yes
Dual Frequency No No Yes
Capacity 330 Lb 330 Lb 440 Lb
Weight Yes Yes Yes
BMI Yes No Yes
Body Fat % Yes Yes Yes
Muscle Mass Yes Yes Yes
Water % No Yes Yes
Bone Mass No Yes Yes
Visceral Fat Yes Yes Yes
Fat % per limb No Yes Yes
Muscle Mass per limb No Yes Yes
Muscle Quality No No Yes
Data recording Memory SD Card Smartphone App

5 References

  1. ↑ Body composition changes assessed by bioelectrical impedance measurements http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2923071
  2. ↑ Changes in fat-free mass during weight loss measured by bioelectrical impedance and by densitometry http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2912008
  3. ↑ Keisuke Shiose, Yosuke Yamada, Keiko Motonaga, Hideyuki Takahashi, Muscle glycogen depletion does not alter segmental extracellular and intracellular water distribution measured using bioimpedance spectroscopy, Journal of Applied Physiology, volume 124, issue 6, 2018, pages 1420–1425, ISSN 8750-7587, doi 10.1152/japplphysiol.00666.2017
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