Although the technology is improving its hard to get an accurate body fat measurement from most available commercial body fat analyzers. Just as the weather reporter cannot predict the weather with 100 accuracy we cannot predict your body fat levels with 100 accuracy how do body fat percentage scales work.
The Pitfalls Of Body Fat Measurement Part 3 Bod Pod
Body fat measurement accuracy. Results from portable body fat analyzers can vary though. Skin fold measurements can be converted into a percentage which can be compared to various norms and improvements in diet andor training intensity can subsequently be made to further strip body fat to meet physical objectives. Body fat is not the most accurate measure of health however and it becomes more acceptable to have more body fat the older you are due to your metabolism slowing. Limited information is available but some 3 d scanners may be fairly accurate with errors of around 4 body fat. Body fat scales can be an easy way to track your body fat percentage but they may not tell the complete story about your health. Body fat includes essential body fat and storage body fat.
Accuracy can also vary depending on various factors including. Essential body fat is a base level of fat that is found in most parts of the body. Fat leaves the body primarily through the lungs when you exhale. The amount of essential fat differs between men and women and is typically around 2 5 in men and 10 13 in women. Bod pod a bod pod is a machine that calculates a persons body density. How does fat leave the body.
However its accuracy declines at the extremes of body fat percentages tending to slightly understate the percent body fat in overweight and obese persons by 168294 depending on the method of calculation and to overstate to a much larger degree the percent body fat in very lean subjects by an average of 68 with up to a 13 overstatement of the reported body percentage of one. Dexa or dxa stands for dual emission x ray absorptiometry. Body fat scales are one of the most popular ways to measure your body fat mainly because theyre quick and easy to use. Various types of body fat analyzers also called impedance meters are available to the general public. Its usually used for bone density testing but its also considered one of the most accurate ways to measure body fat 2a dexa scan is like getting a full body x ray so it does deliver a small degree of radiation. The following body fat measurement tools require special machinery and provide much more accurate results.
It is necessary fat that maintains life and reproductive functions. Indeed the measurements taken from a skin fold body fat test provide a very good indication of ones body fat levels. Here is a video showing how a 3 d body scanner works.
Gallery of Body Fat Measurement Accuracy
