Diagnostic scales: weigh the pros and cons

Why not start eating right and exercising from the middle of the summer, for example, and not from Monday or the start of the new year?? In summer the metabolism goes more quickly, one wants to eat less in the heat, the fruits and vegetables abound, parks and recreation areas allure: run, swim, go for a drive, etc! Diagnostic floor scales can be a good assistant in building a healthy lifestyle. With their help you can control not only weight but also the content of fat, water, muscle and bone mass in the body, calculate the body mass index and the required number of calories per day, as well as evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen system of weight loss or gain . If, of course, the scale works well and has all the right functions.

Why you need a bathroom scale?

One of my acquaintances says, “to measure the number of transgressions”. But seriously, it is much easier to understand the effectiveness of a diet and exercise program by measurement than by eye, because many diets and weight loss products can cause a “draining effect”, that is, a loss of fluid, not fat. The scale will tell you if your total body weight and body fat percentage are dropping in parallel, or if they are not changing. If weight and fat loss occur simultaneously, then the chosen dietary system is working correctly and there is a chance to consolidate the results, if you are losing muscle mass and water, and fat is being lost reluctantly, then the system of diet and exercise must be changed.

How it’s diagnosed?

When you stand on the scale with bare feet, a very weak electrical discharge is passed through your body electrodes are placed on the platform of the scale . Fat, muscle and bone tissue have different electrical resistances impedance , which allows us to measure their mass fraction. To begin to measure, you must enter into the memory of the scales personal data: sex, height, weight, age, in some models – whether you are an athlete or not.

Scales will not only measure weight and analyze body composition, but also compare the resulting analysis with the height, sex, age and athleticism of the user. Based on the analysis of the data, the device gives a verdict: for example, it calculates the body mass index and the recommended amount of calories per day. Individual models are limited to warning-signals: “more fat compared to the previous weighing” – and you draw your own conclusions, count calories, for example. Some displays all the measured parameters at once or alternately: body weight, percentage of fat, water, muscle, etc.d.

Bioelectric way of measuring dictates contraindications to the use of diagnostic scales: not allowed to use them at high body temperature, children under 6 years of age, as well as people with pacemakers. As for use during pregnancy, it makes no sense, the scales will not give the correct readings. Instructions for some devices prohibit their use during this period.

On-screen scales: weighing the pros and cons

Model features	VITEK VT1967-W	MEDISANA ISA	SCARLETT SC-BS33ED79 VitaSpa	TEFAL Bodysignal BM7100
Fat, %	yes	yes	yes	yes
Water, %	yes	yes	yes	no
Muscle, %	no	yes	yes yes	no
Measuring bone mass kg	yes	yes	yes	no
Automatic BMI calculation	yes	yes	yes	no
Automatic calculation of calories per day	no	no	yes	no
Additional features	no	Athlete mode	no	measurement of total weight distribution between muscle and fat mass, mode for athletes, user recognition
Display backlight	no	yes	yes	yes
Measurement results are displayed all at once	yes	yes	no	yes
Results of body composition measurements are given consecutively	no	no	yes	no
Memory	for 10 persons	for 10 persons	for 10 persons	for 4 persons
Platform material	glass	glass and metal	bamboo	glass
Price, Dollars.	2 590	3233	1 890	6 590

MEDISANA 40480 ISA

Test participants

The market of diagnostic scales is growing, but we have only 4 models – not to compare and identify the best and worst, but to observe in practice: how these devices work, are they all the same, is it worth trusting them. Participants, their functionality and results are presented in table #2.

As we tested

One person was weighed on each scale: first time – simple weighing, then immediately – repeated without shifting the scales and, respectively, in the same physiological state to see if the scales display the same result. Next, we entered personal data – they are the same: a woman, not an athlete for models where there is a differentiation , age – 40 years, height165 cmi performed weight measurement with an analysis of its composition. Tefal, Medisana and Vitek models were tested for 1.5 months, but Scarlett only a week unfortunately. Therefore, the first three devices we tested 7 times each, and Scarlett – only twice late provided the device for testing .

First weighing was performed on the same day for all models except Scarlett. The following requirements were observed: weighing barefoot instructions to some models recommend not wearing clothes at all, but it is accurate to measure body weight, and to analyze its composition just need bare feet setting the scales on a hard flat floor without a carpet stay always in the same place. The recommendation to always weigh yourself at the same time 15 minutes after awakening was not respected. Teleporting to work straight from bed is still only being tested in our newsroom.

TEFAL Bodysignal BM7100

To understand the ease of use, we gave the scales to inexperienced users and see if they would understand or not. All models have English-language control panels, but many show symbol icons male/female, muscle, bone, which correspond to “gender”, “athlete”, “bone mass”, etc. on the display when entering data.p. . Makes life easier, although I would certainly like to see models with a American-language display. To assess the clarity and sharpness of the images on the display, looked at it from a position “standing on the scales” no one who tried this does not have one hundred percent vision .

In addition, we evaluated the presence/absence of certain modes and features of the scales. For example, not all models have the ability to specify when entering personal information whether you are an athlete or not. it can be important for the objectivity of measurements: it is normal for an athlete to have a little fat and a lot of muscle, the scales will take this into account – do not give out, if provided, the indication like “karoul, eat a bun!”.

Not all scales calculate body mass index – for example, Tefal does not have such a possibility. Tefal also does not calculate water and muscle – in other words, it does not see water at all, but it does see muscle, but it will not tell you how much – it only correlates your muscle data with your fat data. But the Vitek model counts water, but not muscle. This is unfortunate: first of all, the function is announced, but it is not. Secondly, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of a diet or exercise routine at all without it.

As for BMI, it is calculated by all models except Tefal jumping ahead, we say that it is not so much features as simplicity and the original way to inform the user . Not every scale will tell you how many calories you should consume per day, but otherwise, read the test!

Most models have a memory for 10 users, and only Tefal has a memory for four. But this limitation may be important if you only buy one unit for a large family or even an office. For most families, that’s good enough.

VITEK VT1967-W

So how much body fat and water should be in the body?

According to WHO, the normal body fat content of men is about 17-25%, and about 22-27% of women, but these figures largely depend on age and health.

The change in the percentage of fat in the body during the day depends on physical activity, the state of health, and the amount of liquid drunk during the day. When weighing on a diagnostic scale, keep in mind that fat counts may be lower after bathing, bathing or showering and higher after eating and drinking. Fluid content in the body may decrease during and after illness, as well as after increased physical activity, the percentage of fat will definitely decrease as well.

52 to 62% of the human body consists of water and by means of a diagnostic scale it is possible to control the percentage of water in the body and to correct this important parameter for the human body.

Doctors believe that if weight is lost rapidly, due to the draining effect of dietary supplements promising fast weight loss, protein or other mono diets, it is wrong and the result may not hold up.

A balanced diet about 60% complex carbohydrates, 30% protein and 10% fat combined with exercise causes fat cells to burn and muscles to strengthen.

What the scale counts as muscle?

It’s not just the biceps, triceps and oblique abdominal muscles. The muscle mass figure diagnosed by the electronic scale is the sum of the weight of the musculoskeletal muscles, the smooth muscles heart and digestive system and the water in them.

If a person is overweight and in a weight loss program, it is absolutely necessary to control muscle mass.

SCARLETT SC-BS33ED79

About Heavy Bone

Bone mass is almost a constant in the body and does not change, especially when compared to fat and muscle mass. But as you get older, calcium is washed out of your body, your bones become weak and the scale may show it – then you need to see a doctor immediately.

Body Mass Index

Many models have a function for calculating body mass index. Calculation of BMI is the starting point for any competent weight management. The formula is as follows: a person’s weight in kilograms should be divided by the square of the height in meters. For example, weights 70 kg and heights 1.58 m. We calculate: 70/1,58² = 28,04. A reading of 28.04 means overweight. In general, the accepted values of BMI are as follows:

BMI less than 15 – acute weight deficiency,

BMI 15 to 20 – weight loss,

BMI 20 to 25 – normal weight,

BMI 25 to 30 – overweight,

Over 30 – obesity.

Model/Results	Body weight	Fat, %	Muscle, %	Water, %	Bones, %, kg	Body Mass Index
VITEK VT1967-W	68.7	30.2	does not measure	45	2.61	25.2
MEDISANA ISA	69.5	26.1	39.5	53.2	2.8	25.4
SCARLETT SC-BS33ED79 VitaSpa	68.6	33.9	30.6	48.5	3.3	25.1
TEFAL Bodysignal BM7100	68.7	25.76 17.7 kg	not Measures	does not measure	not Measured by	not Measures

How to relate to measurement results?

We compared our measurements with the charts for fat, water, muscle, and bone from the manuals. I must say that the data in the tables differed – not much, but still. The results were both scary and gratifying. The user should remember that these models are household, not medical.

Their readings are good to take as a reference point, and it is always recommended to weigh on the same scales, because, naturally, any model has certain inaccuracies. Conclusion: buy the scales which are less likely to ruin your mood. And if you want super accurate results for example, you need to track the picture in the presence of any disease , then you need to buy professional medical scales.