Why should i know my muscle mass, Questions & answers, Normal healthy range of bodywater percentage – Salter 9147 BK3R Stow-A-Weigh Analyser Scale User Manual

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

StowAweigh StAnd

This Salter scale features a unique storage solution. When not in use the scale can be

stored safely and conveniently in an easy to assemble storage stand, freeing up space

in the bathroom.

IB-9147-1009-02.indd 4

09/11/2009 16:40

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