Which Method of Body Fat Analysis is More Accurate?

dandjdad · 01-Aug-06, 12:34 PM

First time poster, long time lurker.

I'm having a problem with determining my true Body Fat Percentage. I have two devices at home for measuring BF, and was wondering if anybody had a definitive answer and a reason as to which one is the more accurate of the two.

Device number one is a Tantia Scale (see http://www.bodytronics.com/page/bodytronics/PROD/Tanita_Body_Fat_Scales/TAN2204) in which, after inputting variables of Male/Female, Adult/Child, Height, and Body Weight, a low grade current is emitted through your feet and throughout your entire body. After this process the scale arrives at a BF%, with mine being 21%.

My second device is similar to, though not exactly the same as this one (http://www.mcbworld.com/mcbworld/product_info.php?products_id=30) in which, after inputting variables of Male/Female, Height, Age, and Body Weight, a low grade current is emitted through your thumbs and throughout your entire body. After this process, this device arrives at a BF%, with mine being 16%.

So between the two, there is a 5% difference—pretty significant, in my opinion. I usually just take an average of the two readings, and say my BF % is 18.5%. I suspect that one is probably a better benchmark that the other, though. Does anybody have any information on this?

standAPART · 01-Aug-06, 03:21 PM

First one looks decent...second one looks liek a toy.
I woudl go with calipers at your local gym. Those Bioimpendence anaylzers have a high range of error 7-9%.

**Lady C** · 01-Aug-06, 03:27 PM

Both are probably ±5%. Neither is very accurate. There is really no information on how the second one is actually measuring it. The first one can be off by how "hydrated your body is". They should be just a point of reference. I use calipers as Stand says. Again, they are just a point of reference.

dandjdad · 01-Aug-06, 04:51 PM

Just as a follow up, I just went out and picked up a set of calipers and took my measurements. I came up with 15.7% BF, using these...soooo, by that logic, my thumb electrode device seems to be more accurate when compared to the scale.

Definitely good to know this...it was always such a downer getting on that scale to see a much higher than anticipated BF%...

standAPART · 01-Aug-06, 04:59 PM

How did you conduct calipers on yourself???? The margin of error for calipers is 90% due to improper use by the trainer. I doubt your reading was entirely accurate.

In all my years of personal trainers, my clients ALWAYS believed the lowest reading to be their bodyfat %.

Maybe you are 21%?

**gymgirl** · 01-Aug-06, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandjdad

Just as a follow up, I just went out and picked up a set of calipers and took my measurements. I came up with 15.7% BF, using these...soooo, by that logic, my thumb electrode device seems to be more accurate when compared to the scale.

Definitely good to know this...it was always such a downer getting on that scale to see a much higher than anticipated BF%...

i've done that experiment too. the hand/thumb device read me at 15% and the calipers 14%. did you take your own measurements? how did you manage that?!?

i'm one of those people who always belives my lowest reading is my bodyfat! if it is high i lose motivation. i'm kind of backwards, if my bodyfat is lower i feel like working out more.

dandjdad · 01-Aug-06, 07:46 PM

standAPART, why is it so hard for you to believe that I was able to perform the caliper measurments on myself? The brand I bought, Accu Measure Fitness 3000, comes with highly detailed, illustrated instructions, and actually says that it is "designed to make a very simple and accurate procedure that you can perform on yourself privately or have someone perform for you..." It really wasn't that hard. I'm actually surprised that a personal trainer of your esteemed standing has never seen nor heard of such a thing. Aside from this standAPART, a five minute internet search revealed to me that digital calipers are also sold that are designed so that one may perform measurements on onesself, so these type of self contained calipers really aren't all that rare. (And even though I'm sure you'll still debate a self-test accuracy, you yourself said that "The margin of error for calipers is 90% due to improper use by the trainer." So you know what? Since I've conducted caliper measurements on past clients of mine, and since these instructions boast that the calipers are designed for self-testing, I'll take my chances doing it myself).

So what's your opinion now, standAPART? Do you still stand by your original statement that the scale is more accurate than the thumb device (or in your words, a "toy"--what do you think, gymgirl, is it a toy?) and calipers even though there was absolutely zero research performed on your part on any of the three aforementioned devices? I'm just curious, because I'd hate to continue getting incorrect readings on my Body Fat measurements.

And by the way, let me know if you're ever curious about my personal training credentials. I'll PM you my response.

**gymgirl** · 01-Aug-06, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dandjdad

So what's your opinion now, standAPART? Do you still stand by your original statement that the scale is more accurate than the thumb device (or in your words, a "toy"--what do you think, gymgirl, is it a toy?) and calipers even though there was absolutely zero research performed on your part on any of the three aforementioned devices? I'm just curious, because I'd hate to continue getting incorrect readings on my Body Fat measurements.

dandjdad- i hope my comment didn't come accross as rude. i was just curious how you measured yourself with calipers. i have tried it before, and can't get the back of my arm, or my back very well. i hope it didn't come across as though i was questioning you or your accuracy, that was definitely not my intention-- i was just impressed that you were able to take your own measurments using calipers.

p.s. definitely don't think the hand held devise is a toy, nor did it remind me of one when i used it.

dandjdad · 01-Aug-06, 11:28 PM

gymgirl, I didn't mean to imply anything in my post about your earlier post. Apologies if it came across that way.

**minime** · 02-Aug-06, 07:57 AM

I think that the handheld device and the scale work along the same principles - that is the sending of an electronic current through your body. I m not sure but I would guess the difference arises perhaps because u carry more fat in your legs and this is where the current goes through first with the scale?

I use a scale and got 15% and like gymgirl if I got a higher reading from something else i would choose to believe the scale lol - lowest is better!

Either way, just choose one and stick with it - as LadyC says they are ALL only estimates anyway, and best used as a benchmark to measure your own progress.

A good reference for your bodyfat is just to look at yourself in the mirror, or take photographs. They say generally if u can see abs your at 10% for a man or something. So maybe shoot for that!

**Lady C** · 02-Aug-06, 09:03 AM

It is actually quite easy to measure yourself with calipers. It depends on how many points. I do the three-point measuring system. Not the seven.

Yes, there is margin of error in the user AND the device. That is usually why they are not considered accurate. I think the most accurate method is the buoyancy test.

standAPART · 02-Aug-06, 09:11 AM

Lady,
I disagree with you. You are referring to those little "bug-looking" calipers found in Dicks or Sports Authority. Your not talking about the Lange calipers (green metal).

Skin tonus changes with movement, and muscles tense when you move your body in different position (as holding a caliper). That drastically effects aTRUE reading.

**Lady C** · 02-Aug-06, 09:59 AM

You never said what kind of calipers. These are what I use. According to this article they both use Jackson-Pollack body density equations for determining body fat. One is seven points whereas the other is three points. For self use the Lange are not practical - too costly. My point was you can self test with the right kind of equipment. I didn't say they were accurate.

CF-OC_gal · 02-Aug-06, 11:46 AM

Unless you are entering a pi$$ing contest for the lowest bodyfat, the actual number does not matter as much as whether you are going up or down in bodyfat over time. The objective should be to reach whatever realistic goal you've set for yourself, measured with all the tools at hand not just one.

I usually go for a 9 site caliper reading done by the same technician whose been working at a university athletecs research lab here in town. She as taken hundreds of skinfold measurements each year in her more than 20 year career (and time I've known her). The last time I went she admitted that my quad and calf measurement was going to be too high because she could not adequately pull the skin away from the muscle. It's just a lean area of my body. Her subjective assessment and her experience told me not to "sweat" the number. I'm on the right track.