Living Dangerously Topic

Febrown 01/16/11
sorry put under the wrong topic but fixed

Sune 01/16/11 replied to Dietitian
I am using a handheld bio composition monitor. Is there anything that I can use to measure my body fat % at home in a more reliable way?

Dietitian 01/17/11 replied to Sune
I read that the handheld bioimpedance analyzers are less accurate than those that meausre when you stand on them. However, make and model probably affect accuracy as well.

I detest the handheld devices- when I do health fairs for one of the hospitals here, they have me use this device and I test myself over the course of 4 hours and get profoundly different results over those 4 hours. It is heavily affected by hydration status. Mayo Clinic recommends skipping it altogether: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/body-fat-analyzers/AN01789

About.com has this review of BIA models: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/shop/tp/bodyfatmonitors.htm

Best,

Kathy Isacks, MPS, RD

Sune 01/17/11 replied to Dietitian
Good points. I seem to be getting quite consistent readings. But as with weighing in, I always do it right after I exercise, so I am probably at the same hydration level.

I just want to keep an eye on it. I am sure it tells me something, if it's 30% or 25% at least.

Dietitian 01/18/11 replied to Sune
Good that you get consistent results. Have you ever tested yourself first thing in the morning (along with your body weight)?


Check out McArdle's Exercise Physiology - online chapter includes BIA:

http://books.google.com/books?id=XOyjZX0Wxw4C&pg=PA750&lpg=PA750&dq=bia+affect+dehydration&source=bl&ots=MsBlS1mu_h&sig=L7wBXhtfONxPuSBwZsuzHK1Os-A&hl=en&ei=amE2Tf35D4H78AbwlKmwBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CD4Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=bia%20affect%20dehydration&f=false


Best,

Kathy Isacks, MPS, RD

Sune 01/19/11 replied to Dietitian
An interesting read, an a little bit of a let down, since I really feel that a body fat % measurement (that I can do at home myself), is a great way to showing my progress rather than just weight itself.

I know I am on the right path, I'd just love to have the numbers to back it up :)

Dietitian 01/19/11 replied to Sune
Yeah, I know. Are you measuring waist, hips, etc? I don't see it in your measurements - that might give you good feedback too!

Best,

Kathy

Sune 01/20/11
I was, but I misplaced my measuring tape ;)

I am also a bit confused. Do I measure hips over or under the belly? (which I unfortunately still have)

Dietitian 01/20/11 replied to Sune
Typically waist is midway between the bottom rib and the hip bone and hip is at the biggest part of our bottom. I would include belly fat in the waist, but exclude it in the hip measurement.

Best,

Kathy

Sune 01/21/11
Okay, that's exactly how I have done it. My hip measurement has actually gone down quite a bit. Not as much as waist, but still :)

Living Dangerously