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Why do I need to measure body fat - ordinary scales are good enough aren't they?
No! Measuring your weight alone can be misleading. Look at a body builder - he can have a very heavy weight but at the same time have very little fat. Another person could have the same height and weight but have much less muscle and much more fat. He would be less fit. Too much fat can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers.
Will the electric power harm me?
The current is perfectly safe. You will not feel it all. However, if you have an implanted medical device such as a pacemaker, the body fat monitor should not be used. The unit can be safely used during pregnancy, but will not give an accurate reading.
What are memory keys?
Memory keys enable you to programme in and store your personal details (height, gender and body type - adult/child/athlete). To use the Body Fat Monitor you them only have to tap your personalised key with your toe.
What should I do if my body fat percentage is too high?
Try making small adjustments to your lifestyle and diet. Cut down a little on dietary fats and eat lots of healthy fruit and vegetables. At the same time increase the amount of exercise you do. This will help you to achieve long lasting changes in your life. Expect the fat percentages to go down slowly - and stay down!
How does dieting affect the reading from the Tanita Body Fat Monitor?
At first you may see a slight rise in body fat percentages as you lose body water in the early stages of your diet. However, keep trying! As you start you burn body fat, the reading will decline in a slow steady rate to the desired level.
Why are some of the Tanita Body Fat Monitors unsuitable for athletes?
People who do large amounts of aerobic exercise will have different body types to those who don't. Their hydration levels will be different, and the composition of their muscle tissue may differ too. If such individuals use the Standard Tanita Body Fat Monitor their reading well be overestimated. The Athlete mode in several models of the Tanita Body Fat Monitor takes into account these differences to give a more accurate measurement of body fat % in such individuals.
How long do the batteries last?
If the body fat monitor is used 5 times a day, then the batteries should be sufficient to last for a year.
Why are there different readings for male compared to female?
Men are built differently from women. Genetically, men's bodies are adapted to develop and hold muscle tissue - they are designed to be hunters. A woman's body is designed to hold fat for child bearing. A man who is exactly the same height and weight as a woman will more muscle and less fat than she does. (That is why men need more calories in their diet than women). The calculation that the body fat monitor performs is adjusted to take account of this.
Why are Hydration Levels important?
The Tanita Body Fat Monitor relies on the body's electrical conductivity, which in turn relies on the body's fluid levels. Fat tissue is dehydrated, and therefore resists an electrical signal, whilst muscle tissue is relatively hydrated, and therefore conducts an electric signal. However factors such as temperature, how much exercise you have done, when you last had a drink, medical conditions (including menstruation), medications, alcohol, caffeine etc can also affect the hydration levels of a person's muscle tissue, which can affect the body fat reading. The time of day can also affect hydration levels, as well as fluid distribution in the body. It is for this reason that Tanita recommend that readings are most consistent when taken between 6 and 8pm before eating.
What condition might cause skewed results or an Error reading in the display?
- An error in the set-up (Male/Female?, Child/Adult/Athlete?, Height?)
- Severe dehydration
- Oedema (water retention)
- Anything that abnormally affects weight - e.g: excess food consumption, a very full bladder, holding heavy objects
- Severe calluses on the heels or soles of the feet
- Dampness of the feet (e.g. after a bath) or if the skin of the feet is very warm
- If the foot pads on the body fat monitor are dirty this may interfere with conductivity,
do not wear anything on your feet - not even tights - the electrical conductivity is affected
- Medical implants such as a steel plate in the leg, an artificial hip joint, or breast implants will affect the readings although body fat monitors are still safe to use with these conditions.
Courtesy of Tanita Body Fat Monitors
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Author: Ann Brady
Copyright www.tanita.com
2001
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Copyright Exercise, Fitness & Leisure 2001
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