![]() "As with any particular measurement used to assess how your weight impacts your health, however, it's best to make sense of the results with the help of a skilled medical provider or dietitian." How to make the most of an at-home body composition scale "Even with the potential for variability with body composition scales, they are still reasonably accurate," says Dennis. Dennis says this is the best use of at-home scales since it allows you to track larger trends over time.įour-point scales are more accurate but also large, costly and, as a result, often only found at wellness centers or weight management clinics, meaning most people don't have regular access to one. "The more sensitive scales measure from four points of your body - typically, both feet and both hands - making them more accurate than the two-point scales that measure only from your feet," says Dennis.Īlthough less accurate, the advantage of two-point scales is that they're affordable and small, meaning anyone can purchase one and regularly measure their body composition at home with it. The more points at which the scale comes into contact with your body, the more accurate the bioelectric impedance analysis. This is more of an issue for at-home scales, Dennis points out. The sensitivity of the specific scale you're using affects accuracy, too. "Additionally, other types of water weight, like swelling in the lower legs, can throw off readings," Dennis adds. If you're overhydrated, your body fat will will be underestimated. If you're dehydrated, your body fat likely will be overestimated. "The biggest limitation of body composition scales generally is that a person's hydration status can affect accuracy," says Dennis. But these scales aren't without limitations - particularly the ones you can buy for your home. "If a person's body fat percentage is high, it's a sign that his or her body composition could be contributing to weight-related health issues, like diabetes," says Dennis.Īccording to the Obesity Medicine Association, a high body fat percentage is:Īre body composition scales accurate at measuring body fat?Ī DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, best known for bone density testing) scan is the most accurate way of measuring body fat percentage, but - as a medical imaging test - it's not meant for routine use.Ī body composition scale, on the other hand, is a reasonable alternative since it's more readily available to people. How does a body composition scale work?Ī standard scale calculates your weight by simply measuring physical load.Ī body composition scale, on the other hand, uses bioelectric impedance analysis to determine how much of your total weight is fat-free mass and how much is body fat. "This is important because what we're most concerned about with weight is excess body fat, since this is what increases a person's risk of developing weight-related health issues."īody composition scales have been used in clinics for years to assess whether patients are carrying excess body fat.īut now that you can buy one for your home, you may be wondering what you can and can't expect from a body composition scale. ![]() ![]() "Body composition scales are helpful because, in addition to total weight, they measure how much of that weight is body fat, fat free mass and water," explains Melynda Dennis, a physician assistant specializing in weight management at Houston Methodist. ![]() Some are now smart enough to measure body composition. Like many devices in our homes, the scales we use to monitor our weight are getting smarter.īut smart scales aren't limited to just Wi-Fi-enabled devices that help you track your weight via an app.
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