Scale's body fat formula

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'.

Marisol
138/128/125

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

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

Leosol001 wrote:
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

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

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

On 07 Sep 2004 16:09:03 GMT, Leosol001 wrote:

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

On 07 Sep 2004 16:09:03 GMT, Leosol001 wrote:

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" wrote in message
...
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