Accuracy of BF reading from scale?

[crusher777]

I got a digital scale for Christmas that reads bodyfat and water retention as well as weight. How accurate are the bodyfat measurements from these scales? I was surprised when it said i have 20.5% BF when I only weigh 165.6. I have a little fat on my stomach, but the rest of my body has some definition, and I have some muscle mass. Is this even close to accurate? Thanks for the help.

[crusher777]

bump

[IronBrendan]

Not even close, no.

Just go with calipers. Unless you have a University around you with a Bod Pod or underwater weighing.

[DH87]

Yeah...Those Scales Are ****ty.

What I Would Do Is Step On The Scale Three Different Times And Take The Average Of Those Numbers...

[samseed101]

I've never really found those scales to be accurate. I always check every morning, right after waking up and going to the bathroom. The numbers are usually consistent, but not accurate. I also check by calipers and then by the tape measure method to compare all three results.

The caliper and tape measure are always really close. The scale is almost always 3 - 5 percent high.

[in10city]

I got a digital scale for Christmas that reads bodyfat and water retention as well as weight. How accurate are the bodyfat measurements from these scales? I was surprised when it said i have 20.5% BF when I only weigh 165.6. I have a little fat on my stomach, but the rest of my body has some definition, and I have some muscle mass. Is this even close to accurate? Thanks for the help.

BIA scales are notorious for not giving an accurate assessment to begin with. If you are measuring at random times during the day, that will likely confound matters of "accuracy". If you insist on using a tool, you're better off using a better BF analysis method - like caliper measurements performed by an experienced tester.

Factors that can sway the BIA scale results include:
- Time of day
- Hydration level
- Food and water intake
- Changes in blood circulation from environmental temperature changes
- Recent changes in posture (like from lying to standing)
- Recent exercise
- Alcohol consumption
- Swelling / water retention