4
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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.
why Should i know my muScle mASS?
According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ASCM), lean muscle mass may
decrease by nearly 50 percent between the ages of 20 and 90. If you don’t do anything
to replace that loss you’re losing muscle and increasing fat. It is also important to know
your muscle mass % during weight reduction. At rest, the body burns approximately 110
additional calories for each kilo of muscle gained. Some advantages of gaining muscle
mass include:
• Reversing the decline in strength, bone density and muscle mass that accompanies age
• Maintenance of flexible joints
• Guide weight reduction when combined with a healthy diet.
This product is for domestic use only. Pregnant women should only use the weight function.
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).
what should i do if my body fat reading is very ‘high?
A sensible diet, fluid intake and exercise program can reduce your body fat percentage.
Professional medical guidance should always be sought before embarking on such
a program.
why are the body fat percentage ranges for men and women so different?
Women naturally carry a higher percentage of fat than men, because the make-up of the
body is different being geared towards pregnancy, breastfeeding etc.
what should i do if my water percentage reading is ‘low’?
Ensure that you are regularly taking sufficient water and work towards moving your fat
percentage into the healthy range.
why should i avoid using the Body Analyser Scale whilst pregnant?
During pregnancy a woman’s body composition changes considerably in order to
support the developing child. Under these circumstances, body fat percentage readings
could be inaccurate and misleading. Pregnant women should therefore only use the
weight function.
diSplAy guide
muscle mass
Body fat
child
Athlete
female
height
unit
male
pre-program number
Body water
weight unit
