Body fat scale often inaccurate

Stiftung Warentest: Many body fat scales measure wrong

06/01/2014

Body fat scales should provide the users with basic information about the proportion of adipose tissue on the body and thus allow a better assessment of your own body weight. But the body fat scales, according to a recent study by Stiftung Warentest often wrong. The scales with their details are up to 23 percent off the mark, according to Stiftung Warentest.

A reliable determination of body fat is, according to the current test, hardly possible with most body fat scales examined. Here, averaged deviations between 14 and 23 percent of the actual body fat percentage occurred in fat analysis, write the product tester. The comprehensive results of the investigation were published in the journal „test“ released.

Determination of body fat usually inaccurate
A total of 19 scales for prices from 13 euros to 150 euros have been checked by Stiftung Warentest. „Including 16 electronic devices with body fat analysis, extra large display or voice output and three mechanical scales“, reports the foundation. All test scales would have indicated the weight reliably, however, were in the determination of body fat, the measured values ​​often deviated significantly from the actual fat content. The data of the body fat scales were compared with the reference values ​​of a professional measuring device, which „the body fat percentage with a measurement by the whole body by hand on foot“ determined, so the press release of the Stiftung Warentest. In home appliances, the body fat percentage is determined by means of electrodes in the scale, which send an unnoticeable current through the body when in contact with the bare soles. Taking into account the previously entered age, sex, height and often also the fitness level, the body fat percentage is then calculated on the basis of the measured current resistance. „However, since the measurement covers at most the lower body to the navel, results are inaccurate results“, report the testers.

The discrepancies in body fat scales are also illustrated by the fact that the devices often had very different results for the same subject. For example, one scale displayed 17 percent body fat and the next 35 percent body fat in the same subject. Compared to the professional measuring device, all scales had deviated on average by 14 to 23 percent. „The biggest deviations were provided by a discount scale“, so the announcement of the foundation. For everyday use, however, the examined devices are mostly suitable. In the end, ten products received the verdict „Well“ and only a scale was with „inadequate“ rated. (Fp)

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