They run a light electrical current through your body measure the degree of resistance or impedance to the flow of the current then use this information to estimate your body fat percentage. Macias n1 alemán mateo h esparza romero j valencia me. In part 1 of this series you learned about how body fat testing is a prediction not a measurement. Bioelectrical impedance analysis bia is a commonly used method for estimating body composition in particular body fat and muscle massin bia a weak electric current flows through the body and the voltage is measured in order to calculate impedance resistance of the body. Bod pod a bod pod is a machine that calculates a persons body density. Body fat scales can be an easy way to track your body fat percentage but they may not tell the complete story about your health.
Most body water is stored in muscle. Bioelectrical impedance bia bia is one of the quickest and easiest methods for predicting body fat. Body fat equations and electrical bioimpedance values in prediction of cardiovascular risk factors in eutrophic and overweight adolescents. Body fat measurement by bioelectrical impedance and air displacement plethysmography. International journal of endocrinology vol 2013. 1centro de investigación en nutrición y salud instituto nacional de salud pública.
Focusing on body fat percentage instead of weight is much more useful to track fat loss progress. A cross validation study to design bioelectrical impedance equations in mexican adults. The following body fat measurement tools require special machinery and provide much more accurate results. The widely used body mass index bmi provides a measure that allows the comparison of the adiposity of individuals of different heights and weights. Percentage of body fat is strongly associated with the risk of several chronic diseases but its accurate measurement is difficult. Accuracy can also vary depending on various factors including.
Most research shows that body fat scales arent accurate enough to track changes in body composition over time. Here are the 10 best ways to measure your body fat percentage. Bioelectrical impedance analysis bia is a relatively simple quick and non invasive technique to measure body composition. Now lets talk about bia. The body fat percentage is a measure of fitness level since it is the only body measurement which directly calculates a persons relative body composition without regard to height or weight. In part 2 you learned about underwater weighing and in part 3 you learned about the bod pod.
However the convienience of this method comes at a price of accuracy.