Checking body fat is a step towards a healthier life.
What does your body fat percentage
indicate?
•
The body fat percentage indicates the proportion of fat in the body.
•
Too much body fat can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes
and some forms of cancer. It is important to monitor your body fat to keep
body fat levels in check.
How the BF-572 measures your body fat
percentage
•
The TANITA Body Fat Monitor / Scale uses BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance
Analysis). This measures the body’s electrical resistance.
•
Fat does not conduct electricity well, whereas muscle tissue, due to its water
content, is a better conductor. A person with more fat therefore has higher
electrical resistance, and so measuring this resistance can determine the
proportion of fat in the body.
When to use the TANITA
Body Fat Monitor / Scale
•
BIA relies on levels of hydration, and changes in the body’s hydration can
affect the body fat percentage reading.
•
Hydration can vary depending on your physical condition (e.g. if you have
overeaten, drunk too much alcohol, have sweated excessively, or during
menstruation). It can also fluctuate with the time of day.
TANITA recommends that people use the TANITA Body Fat Monitor / Scale in the
early evening, before the evening meal (see graph left). It is important to be
consistent in your use of the Body Fat Monitor / Scale.
•
Remember: Use the Body Fat Monitor / Scale at the same time of day, under
the same conditions for consistent readings.
Ideal conditions of use
Time: Early evening, before the evening meal.
Conditions: Ensure that your feet are clean and dry.
Wear as little clothing as possible.
How much body fat is healthy?
Ideal healthy body fat percentage ranges are contained within the graph above:
Features of the BF-572 Tanita Body Fat
Monitor/Scale
•
Measures weight to the nearest 100g / 0.2lb
•
Measures body fat percentage to the nearest 0.1%
•
Personal details for up to 4 users can be memorised.
•
Stores personal readings and displays them on a graph to
show changes in body fat percentage over time.
•
Features weight-only button to measure weight alone.
•
The BF-572 can be used by adults over 18 years, children over 7 and athletes.
Athlete Mode
Due to differences in hydration and body composition, individuals who perform a
lot of sport may be overestimated by Standard Adult Mode. These people should use
the Athlete Mode. The Athlete Mode is designed for:
•
People performing more than 10 hours a week intense aerobic exercise, and
who have a resting pulse of below 60 beats per minute.
•
People who are performing slightly less than 10 hours a week, but who have
trained regularly throughout their lives at an intense level.
The Body Fat Monitor / Scale may not give
accurate readings for:
•
Professional athletes and body builders.
•
Pregnant women.
•
People undergoing dialysis.
•
People suffering from edema.
Notes on
Body Fat Percentage Monitoring
Typical Fluctuations in Body Fat
Percentage when measured using BIA
3 4
18–39
40–59
60+
Healthy Overfat ObeseUnderfat
Healthy Overfat ObeseUnderfat
Based on WHO BMI Guidelines.
As reported by Gallagher at NY Obesity Research Center.
To determine the percentage of body fat appropriate for your body please consult a doctor or trained
medical professional.
10%0% 20% 30% 40%
18–39
40–59
60+
Women
Healthy Body Fat Percentages for Standard Adults
Age
Men
Age
1, 2
1
2
