Scale's body fat formula

Quoted message said:

It seems that the scale is mainly doing a BMI calculation, and very little

from

Quoted message said:

the 'density measurement' is added to the formula.

Bingo. I have long suspected this too.

For my money, the best bet is an accurate regular digital scale.

-like this one: http://tinyurl.com/2rslp

(I do not get a commision from Amazon.)

Leosol001 said:

I bought a WW (Conair) scale yesterday with body fat indication. I know that a
scale can not give accurate body fat measurement but it can show trends, and
the idea was to motivate DH to lose some weight.

However, I found the results interesting, and I am curious to find out what
formula is used to calculate body fat. I tried to google but did not find
anything useful.

My body fat as estimated by the WW scale were (at 127 lb):
22% when correct data was entered, i.e. 5'6'', female, 50 years old
20% when changing my age to 18, still female
14% when claiming to be a 50 year old male

It seems that the scale is mainly doing a BMI calculation, and very little from
the 'density measurement' is added to the formula.

Does the Tanita scale behave the same way? I assume that the Tanita athletic
setting (the more expensive version with child, adult, athlete) would show a
lower body fat as a relative higher BMI is used as a 'lean base'.

The Tanita's athletic setting reads about 7-10% less than the regular
adult setting. Doesn't your WW scale have an athlete setting?

Rebecca

Quoted message said:

The Tanita's athletic setting reads about 7-10% less than the regular
adult setting. Doesn't your WW scale have an athlete setting?

Rebecca

No, it was cheap: $40. Thanks for the info though. The 'athlete' does not apply
to my husband, but I might be close with 10+ hours excercise per week
(weights/cardio).

Marisol
138/128/125

Leosol001 said:

Quoted message said:

The Tanita's athletic setting reads about 7-10% less than the regular
adult setting. Doesn't your WW scale have an athlete setting?

Rebecca

No, it was cheap: $40. Thanks for the info though. The 'athlete' does
not apply
to my husband, but I might be close with 10+ hours excercise per week
(weights/cardio).

Marisol
138/128/125

I think "athlete" is based on percent bodyfat, not how much you work out.
I also work out about 10 hours a week (biking alone is near 8 hours, and I
lift weights about 3 hours/week), and I'm no where near an "athlete" as
per Tanita.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

Athletic? Hmmm. Time to send pictures.

"Leosol001" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The Tanita's athletic setting reads about 7-10% less than the regular
adult setting. Doesn't your WW scale have an athlete setting?

Rebecca

No, it was cheap: $40. Thanks for the info though. The 'athlete' does not

apply

Quoted message said:

to my husband, but I might be close with 10+ hours excercise per week
(weights/cardio).

Marisol
138/128/125

Quoted message said:

I think "athlete" is based on percent bodyfat, not how much you work out.
I also work out about 10 hours a week (biking alone is near 8 hours, and I
lift weights about 3 hours/week), and I'm no where near an "athlete" as
per Tanita.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

I hear you. I should have clarified that according to Tanita, the athletic
setting on the scale should be used for people 'involved in intense physical
activity of approx. 10 hrs per week and has a resting heart rate of approx. 60
beats-per-minute or less.' I don't consider myself comparable to a true
athlete, even though daily excercise for 1 1/2 hour does build some muscle.

Marisol
138/128/125