| Q: |
"How does the Tanita Body Fat Monitor
determine my body fat?" |
| A: |
Tanita uses it's own proprietary method of
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) (click
here for more information). |
| Q: |
"How does the Tanita's BIA compare with
other methods in terms of accuracy, repeatability, cost,
convenience, and length of procedure?" |
| A: |
There are many methods of estimating body fat. The
following is a summary of the most common ones.
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DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray
Absorptiometry). Today, this method is considered a gold
standard because of its reliability, precision, and the
fact that it is based on three body components (fat,
muscle, bone) rather than two (fat and muscle) as in most
other methods including hydrostatic weighing. It allows
fat distribution throughout the entire body to be read in
a single scan. The equipment used is very expensive and a
person must lie perfectly still for 10-20 minutes while
the scan is taken. DEXA is found mainly in research
facilities. |
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Hydrostatic Weighing. Done
correctly, this method is also quite accurate and
considered a gold standard. However, the test is somewhat
subjective because it relies upon the subject's ability to
expel all oxygen from their lungs while submerged in a
tank of water. Oxygen remaining in the lungs will skew the
results. In clinical settings, this procedure is repeated
a number of times, and an average is taken. The
"tank" is expensive and the inconvenience to the
user is considerable. Because of the cost, lengthy testing
process, and physical burden to the subject, this method
is more suitable for research studies. |
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Conventional BIA. Bioelectrical
impedance analysis uses a very small electrical signal to
measure body impedance. The signal is conducted through
the water contained in the body. Lean muscle has much more
water than fat tissue and allows the signal to pass
easily. Fat causes impedance or resistance to the signal.
Conventional Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis methods are
accurate, though not as convenient as the Tanita BIA
method, and may be somewhat subjective based on the
placement of electrodes. The user must be in a horizontal
position while electrodes and conductive jelly are placed
on a wrist and ankle. This procedure is usually performed
in a physician's office or clinic. Most conventional BIA
manufacturers use hydrostatic weighing as the reference
method. |
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Tanita BIA. Tanita's leg-to-leg
version of BIA produces very accurate results that are
highly correlated with both DEXA (Tanita's reference
method) and hydrostatic weighing. Measurements are very
repeatable when tests are performed under consistent
conditions. The equipment is not expensive, making Tanita
a professionally-accepted method that can be adapted
easily for home use. There is no physical imposition to
the user; no need for a trained technician to operate the
equipment; and the entire procedure takes less than one
minute. |
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Calipers. Skinfold measurements taken by calipers
are easy to do, inexpensive, and the method is portable.
However, results can be very subjective depending on the
skill of the technician and the site(s) measured. The
quality of the calipers is also a factor. Inexpensive
models sold for home use are usually less accurate than
those used by an accredited technician. Additionally, the
more obese the subject, the more difficult to
"pinch" the skin correctly. Many people find
calipers to be uncomfortable and invasive. |
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NIR (Near Infra-Red). A fiber optic probe
measures tissue composition at various sites on the body.
This method has become popular because it is simple, fast,
non-invasive, and the equipment is relatively inexpensive.
However, studies have produced mixed results, and a high
degree of error has occurred with very lean and very obese
people. Numerous sources report that more research is
needed to substantiate this method. |
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| Q: |
"Why do Tanita Monitor/Scales have
different modes? And what are they?" |
| A: |
Please refer to the User
Modes Explained page within this Web site., |
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| Q: |
"How accurate and reliable are Tanita's
Body Fat Monitor/Scales?" |
| 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 of the institutional standard of body
composition analysis--Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). It
should be made clear that there is only one method of calculating
body composition that is close to 100% accurate, and that is an
autopsy. Tanita believes its method to be the most convenient
and accessible to accurately predict body composition. Tanita's
Body Fat Monitor Series results are repeatable to within +/- 1
percent variation when used under consistent conditions. |
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| Q: |
"What conditions might cause skewed results
or an "Error" reading in the display?" |
| A: |
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Hydration fluctuations which may result
from alcohol or food consumption, sleep, intense exercise,
medication or pre-menstruation. |
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A very full bladder. |
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Severe calluses on heels or soles of feet
(about 1/400 people tested). |
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Unclean foot pads may interfere with
conductivity. |
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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. |
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| Q: |
"How long will this monitor/scale last me?
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 consumer monitor/scales are
extremely reliable, providing up to 10,000 uses or more. There is
a three-year warranty for parts and labor; an "After
Warranty" is also available (see Warranty Card). |
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| 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 glass cleaner to keep
them shiny-always apply to a cloth first and then to the product;
avoid soaps. |
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| Q: |
"How will I know if my Tanita Monitor needs
recalibrating?" |
| 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. |
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