A new generation of intelligent bathroom scales which made claims to measure the body fat percentage are not without their limitations.
The Consumer Council in association with the Euroconsumers have conducted a comparative test of 12 models - 5 digital and 7 intelligent scales.
The test report notes that all intelligent scales offer the possibility of measuring the body fat percentage. The user is required to simply input a few personal data (age, gender and height) in order to determine the body fat based on what is known as the Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA).
This is how it works. When standing with bare feet on the scale an imperceptible electrical current runs through the body. The current, transmitted from one foot to the other, is conducted by the water mass mostly present in the lean tissues.
Since fat tissue and non-fat tissue vary in their resistance to this current, the scale is said to be able to break down the respective percentages in body fat mass and lean mass with built-in formulas.
An intelligent scale has its limitation. There is the opinion that the scales could not be relied on to perform a good measurement because they only measure from foot to foot and there would be differences due to measuring the body fat more of the legs and not the complete body.
Also, the accuracy is affected by the environment (e.g humidity) as well as whether the equation applied is suitable for the Chinese population.
The advice to consumers is that if they really want to know their own body fat composition correctly they should consult a specialist.
It is suggested in the majority of the cases, the Body Mass Index (BMI) is a reliable indication of one's weight: BMI = (weight, in kg) / (height, in m) 2 .
For Asians, the ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 22.9; a BMI equal to or in excess of 23 should be classified as overweight, and BMI equal to or over 25 as obesity.
It is opined that intelligent scales are unlikely to offer consumers any more useful information than one's BMI. An intelligent scale can, however, offer some extra motivation to the consumers in following an adequate and well-balanced diet or sports programme.
Should one decide to buy such a device, try to select a scale that scored well in the weight accuracy test as shown in the report in CHOICE. The memory function might also be handy; so check if there are enough memories for the intended number of users. Compare the models also for their display, ease of use, endurance and safety.
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