The following Q&A is designed to answer some of the most frequently asked
questions regarding Tanita's Body Fat Monitor/Scales.
| Q: |
Why is it important to
measure body fat percentage? |
| A: |
Measuring weight alone is not an accurate
assessment of a healthy lifestyle or a commitment to fitness. It is
only half of the story, because it doesn't distinguish pounds that come
from fat and those that come from lean muscle mass. Too much body
fat results in obesity--one of the most prevalent health and fitness
problems in the United States. According to new Government
guidelines, approximately 97 million adult Americans--more than half of
the population--are either overweight or obese.1 |
| Q: |
Are there any illnesses direcly
linked to obesity? |
| A: |
Obesity is direcly linked with Diabetes Type II, and is a
contributing risk for many chronic conditions including hypertension,
heart disease, sleep disorders, arthritis, gall bladder disease, and
several forms of cancer.
Awareness and monitoring of body fat percentage is a motivational tool
for any weight management program. Additionally, with any chronic
degenerative disease, monitoring body fat and lean body mass is critical
to evaluation, treatment, and management of the condition. This
information is helpful in determining a suitable exercise and nutritional
program on an individual basis. |
| Q: |
How does the Tanita Body Fat
Monitor/Scale measure my body fat? |
| A: |
Tanita uses a state of the art method of body composition
assessment called Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Body
impedance is measured when a safe, low electrical signal (about 50kHz, 500
Ma) is passed through the body, carried by water and fluids. Fat
tissue does not contain much water and creates resistance or impedance to
the signal. (Fat is approximately 10-15% hydrated, wheras muscle is
normally between 50-70%.) This impedance information is then used to
estimate the amount of lean and fat tissue within the body.
Through a process called multiple regression analysis, Tanita has
developed highly researched proprietary formulas that are based on
impedance, height, weight, gender, body type (normal adult or athletic
build), and in some cases, age. Tanita's reference method is Dual
X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), which many experts now believe is better than
Hydrostatic Weighing because of its accuracy and reliability. All
analytical methods use equations derived from large, multi-ethnic
population studies to predict body composition.
The integrated monitor/scales are easy to use, provide clinically
accurate results, and make body composition assessment accessible in
professional environments as well as the home. Tanita's patented
foot pad pressure-contact electrodes have revolutionized weight
management. |
Flexible
|
| Q: |
Why do Tanita Monitor/Scales have different modes?
Isn't fat just fat? |
| A: |
Tanita currently offers modes for three body
types--Adult,
Athlete, and Child--that engage the appropriate
prediction equation contained in the monitor's computer
chip. For example, the more athletic a person is, the
more muscle they have and the more water. Therefore,
the electrical signal encounters less resistance when it
passes through this type of body, and the monitor must
be specially calibrated. Tanita's equations are generalized
based on standard population data for male/female adults,
athletes, and children. |
| Q: |
What are the criteria for the different modes? |
| A: |
Child Mode for children up to the age of 18, over 3.6 ft.(107 cm ) tall,
whose bodies are still developing.
Adult Mode for adults aged 18 or older who have
moderately active or sedentary lifestyles.
Athlete Mode for adults involved in intense physical activity
(approximately 10 hours per week) and who have a resting
heart rate of approximately 60 beats per minute or less--excluding
professional athletes and bodybuilders. Exceptions
to Tanita's athlete description may include "Lifetime of
Fitness" individuals and/or "Enthusiastic Beginners" whose
bodies have not yet reached "athlete" status.
|
| Q: |
Are there people for whom the monitor is not appropriate? |
| A: |
Although there are no known health risks, some categories
of people are advised not to use the monitor:
- Pregnant women and people with pacemakers.
-
People who exceed the weight capacity of the scale
(models vary) and/or exceed 75% body fat.
- Professional athletes and bodybuilders. However, in most
cases, the unit may be used to successfully monitor trends
and accurately show degrees of change.
|
Accurate
|
| Q: |
How accurate and reliable are Tanita's products? |
| A: |
Independent research at several major universities (including
Columbia University in New York City) has confirmed that
in clinical settings, the Tanita Body Fat Monitor is accurate
within +/- 5 percentage points of the institutional standard--Dual
Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). (There is no
100% accurate method to measure exact percentage of
body fat--other than an autopsy.) Tarrita believes they have
developed the most convenient method to accurately predict
body composition; results are repeatable to within +/- 1 percent variation when used under consistent conditions. |
| Q: |
What conditions might cause skewed results or an 'Error'
reading in the display? |
| A: |
- Severe dehydration or over-hydration which may result
from alcohol or food consumption, sleep, intense exercise,
or pre-menstruation
- A very full bladder.
- Severe calluses on heels or soles of feet (about 1/400
people tested).
- Unclean foot pads may interfere
with conductivity.
- Nylons interfere with conductivity. If it is absolutely
necessary to measure in nylons, use a drop of isopropyl
(rubbing) alcohol on the foot pads to act as a conductor.
|
| Q: |
What are the optimal conditions for measuring body fat
percentage? |
| A: |
- Between 5-6:00 p.m.
- With an empty bladder
- When normally hydrated.
Things that can affect hydration include:
- strenuous exercise
- recent food intake
- diuretics such as caffeine, alcohol, certain medications
If the recommended time is not convenient, select one that
is, and stick to it consistently. Early morning or before bed
are not recommended because the body is often dehydrated.
Once you have established your baseline, measure body fat
about twice a month.
|
| Q: |
How long will this monitor/scale last? Is there a warranty? |
| A: |
The product's length of durability, accuracy, and reliability
is measured by the amount of times it is used, not calendar
time. All of Tanita's monitor/scales are extremely reliable,
providing up to 10,000 uses or more. There is a one-year
warranty for parts and labor; an "After Warranty" is also
available (see Warranty Card). |
| Q: |
What type of maintenance is necessary? |
| A: |
There is simply no maintenance other than the use of alcohol
to wipe the foot pads clean and to use glass cleaner to
keep them shiny--always apply to a cloth first and then to
the product; avoid soaps. |
| Q: |
How would I know if my Tanita Body Fat Monitor/Scale
needs re-calibrating? |
| A: |
An "Error" or "Sub" code might appear on the readout; the
digital display might not "zero out" after your last measurement;
or the results might be erratic and non-repeatable. Call customer service at
1-800-TANITA-8. |
|
|
1. Federal clinical guidelines on the identification, evaluation, and treatment
of overweight and obesity in adults, NHLBI and NIDDK, National
Institutes of Health, 1998.
