How does this salter scale work, Body fat – what does it mean, Normal healthy range of body fat percentage – Salter 9114 SV3R Compact Analyser Scale User Manual
Page 2: Body water -why measure it, Normal healthy range of bodywater percentage, Questions & answers
2
how does this salter scale work?
This Salter scale uses BIA (Bio Impedance Analysis) technology which passes a tiny
electrical impulse through the body to determine fat from lean tissue, the electrical
impulse cannot be felt and is perfectly safe. Contact with the body is made via stainless
steel pads on the platform of the scale.
This method simultaneously calculates your personal weight, body fat and total body
water giving you a more accurate reading of your overall health and fitness.
This scale stores the personal data of up to 12 users. As well as being an analyser scale,
this scale can be used as a conventional scale.
body fat – what does it mean?
The human body is made up of, amongst other things, a percentage of fat. This is vital
for a healthy, functioning body - it cushions joints and protects vital organs, helps
regulate body temperature, stores vitamins and helps the body sustain itself when food
is scarce. However, too much body fat or indeed too little body fat can be damaging to
your health. It is difficult to gauge how much body fat we have in our bodies simply by
looking at ourselves in the mirror. This is why it is important to measure and monitor
your body fat percentage. Body fat percentage gives you a better measure of fitness
than weight alone – the composition of your weight loss could mean you are losing
muscle mass rather than fat - you could still have a high percentage of fat even when a
scale indicates ‘ normal weight’.
normal healthy range of body fat percentage
body fat % ranges for boys*
age
low
optimal
moderate
high
10
≤12.8
12.9 - 22.8
22.9 - 27.8
≥27.9
11
≤12.6
12.7 - 23.0
23.1 - 28.2
≥28.3
12
≤12.1
12.2 - 22.7
22.8 - 27.8
≥27.9
13
≤11.5
11.6 - 22.0
22.1 - 26.9
≥27.0
14
≤10.9
11.0 - 21.3
21.4 - 25.8
≥25.9
15
≤10.4
10.5 - 20.7
20.8 - 24.9
≥25.0
16
≤10.1
10.2 - 20.3
20.4 - 24.2
≥24.3
17
≤9.8
9.9 - 20.1
20.2 - 23.8
≥23.9
18
≤9.6
9.7 - 20.1
20.2 - 23.5
≥23.6
body fat % ranges for girls*
age
low
optimal
moderate
high
10
≤16.0
16.1 - 28.2
28.3 - 32.1
≥32.2
11
≤16.1
16.2 - 28.8
28.9 - 32.7
≥32.8
12
≤16.1
16.2 - 29.1
29.2 - 33.0
≥33.1
13
≤16.1
16.2 - 29.4
29.5 - 33.2
≥33.3
14
≤16.0
16.1 - 29.6
29.7 - 33.5
≥33.6
15
≤15.7
15.8 - 29.9
30.0 - 33.7
≥33.8
16
≤15.5
15.6 - 30.1
30.2 - 34.0
≥34.1
17
≤15.1
15.2 - 30.1
30.2 - 34.3
≥34.4
18
≤14.7
14.8 - 30.8
30.9 - 34.7
≥34.8
body fat % ranges for men**
age
low
optimal
moderate
high
19 - 39
≤8
8.1 - 19.9
20 - 24.9
≥25
40 - 59
≤11
11.1 - 21.9
22 - 27.9
≥28
60+
≤13
13.1 - 24.9
25 - 29.9
≥30
body fat % ranges for women**
age
low
optimal
moderate
high
19 - 39
≤21
21.1 - 32.9
33 - 38.9
≥39
40 - 59
≤23
23.1 - 33.9
34 - 39.9
≥40
60+
≤24
24.1 - 35.9
36 - 41.9
≥42
*Source: Derived from; HD McCarthy, TJ Cole, T Fry, SA Jebb and AM Prentice: “Body fat reference curves for children”.
International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 598–602.
**Source: Derived from; Dympna Gallagher, Steven B Heymsfield, Moonseong Heo, Susan A Jebb, Peter R Murgatroyd,
and Yoichi Sakamoto: “Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass
index1–3”. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:694–701.
The Body Fat % ranges published are for guidance only. Professional medical guidance should always be sought before
embarking on diet and exercise programs.
body water -why measure it?
Body water is the single most important component of body weight. It represents over
half of your total weight and almost two thirds of your lean body mass (predominantly
muscle). Water performs a number of important roles in the body:
All the cells in the body, whether in the skin, glands, muscles, brain or anywhere else,
can only function properly if they have enough water. Water also plays a vital part in
regulating the body’s temperature balance, particularly through perspiration.
The combination of your weight and fat measurement could appear to be ‘normal’ but
your body hydration level could be insufficient for healthy living.
normal healthy range of bodywater percentage
body water chart***
BF % Range
Optimal BW % Range
Men
4 to 14%
70 to 63%
15 to 21%
63 to 57%
22 to 24%
57 to 55%
25 and over
55 to 37%
Women
4 to 20%
70 to 58%
21 to 29%
58 to 52 %
30 to 32 %
52 to 49%
33 and over
49 to 37%
***Source: Derived from Wang & Deurenberg: “Hydration of fat-free body mass”.
American Journal Clin Nutr 1999, 69 833-841.
For those using Athlete Mode: note that athletes may have a lower body fat range and a
higher body water range than shown above, depending on their type of sport or activity.
Body water measurement results are influenced by the proportion of body fat and
muscle. If the proportion of body fat is high, or the proportion of muscle is low then the
body water results will tend to be low. It is important to remember that measurements
such as body weight, body fat and body water are tools for you to use as part of your
healthy lifestyle. As short term fluctuations are normal, we suggest you chart your
progress over time, rather than focus on a single days reading.
the body water % ranges published are for guidance only. professional medical
guidance should always be sought before embarking on diet and exercise
programmes.
caution: do not use this product if you have a pacemaker or other medical device
fitted. if in doubt, consult your doctor.
Questions & answers
how exactly is my body fat and water being measured?
This Salter Scale uses a measurement method known as Bioelectrical Impedance
Analysis (BIA). A minute current is sent through your body, via your feet and legs. This
current flows easily through the lean muscular tissue, which has a high fluid
content, but not easily through fat. Therefore, by measuring your body’s impedance (i.e.
its resistance to the current), the quantity of muscle can be determined. From this, the
quantity of fat and water can then be estimated.
what is the value of the current passing through me when the measurement
is taken? is it safe?
The current is less than 1mA, which is tiny and perfectly safe. You will not be able
to feel it. Please note however, that this device should not be used by anyone with
an internal electronic medical device, such as a pacemaker, as a precaution against
disruption to that device.
if i measure my body fat and water at different times during the day, it can
vary quite considerably. which value is correct?
Your body fat percentage reading varies with body water content, and the latter changes
throughout the course of the day. There is no right or wrong time of the day to take a
reading, but aim to take measurements at a regular time when you consider your body
to be normally hydrated. Avoid taking readings after having a bath or sauna, following
intensive exercise, or within 1-2 hours of drinking in quantity or eating a meal.
my friend has a body fat analyser made by another manufacturer.
when i used it i found that i got a different body fat reading. why is this?
Different Body Fat Analysers take measurements around different parts of the body and
use different mathematic algorithms to calculate the percentage of body fat.
The best advice is to not make comparisons from one device to another, but to use the
same device each time to monitor any change.
how do i interpret my body fat and water percentage readings?
Please refer to the Body Fat and Water tables included with the product. They will guide
you as to whether your body fat and water reading falls into a healthy category
(relative to your age and sex).
gb
IB-9114-1010-02.indd 2
12/11/2010 09:10