2
BODY FA T % RANGES FOR GIRLS*
Age Low Optimal Moderate High
6≤14.4 14.5 - 23.0 23.1 - 26.1 ≥26.2
7≤14.9 15.0 - 24.5 24.6 - 27.9 ≥28.0
8≤15.3 15.4 - 26.0 26.1 - 29.6 ≥29.7
9≤15.7 15.8 - 27.2 27.3 - 31.1 ≥31.2
10 ≤16.0 16.1 - 28.2 28.3 - 32.1 ≥32.2
11 ≤16.1 16.2 - 28.8 28.9 - 32.7 ≥32.8
12 ≤16.1 16.2 - 29.1 29.2 - 33.0 ≥33.1
13 ≤16.1 16.2 - 29.4 29.5 - 33.2 ≥33.3
14 ≤16.0 16.1 - 29.6 29.7 - 33.5 ≥33.6
15 ≤15.7 15.8 - 29.9 30.0 - 33.7 ≥33.8
16 ≤15.5 15.6 - 30.1 30.2 - 34.0 ≥34.1
17 ≤15.1 15.2 - 30.1 30.2 - 34.3 ≥34.4
18 ≤14.7 14.8 - 30.8 30.9 - 34.7 ≥34.8
BODY FA T % RANGES FOR MEN**
Age Low Optimal Moderate High
19 - 39 ≤8 8.1 - 19.9 20 - 24.9 ≥25
40 - 59 ≤11 11.1 - 21.9 22 - 27.9 ≥28
60+ ≤13 13.1 - 24.9 25 - 29.9 ≥30
BODY FA T % RANGES FOR WOMEN**
Age Low Optimal Moderate High
19 - 39 ≤21 21.1 - 32.9 33 - 38.9 ≥39
40 - 59 ≤23 23.1 - 33.9 34 - 39.9 ≥40
60+ ≤24 24.1 - 35.9 36 - 41.9 ≥42
*Source: Derived from; HD McCarth y, T J Cole, T F ry, SA Jebb and AM Prentice: “Body fat reference curves for
children” . International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 598–602.
**Source: Derived from; Dympna Gallagher , Steven B Heymsfield, Moonseong Heo, Susan A Jebb, Peter
R Murgatroy d, and Y oichi Sakamoto: “Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an appr oach for developing
guidelines based on body mass index1–3” . Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:694–701.
The Body Fat % r anges published are for guidance only. Professional medical guidance should
always be sought bef ore embarking on diet and exer cise programs.
BODY WA TER -WHY MEASURE IT? Body water is the single most important
component of body weight. It repr esents over half of your total weight and almost
two thirds of y our lean body mass (predominantly muscle). Water performs a number
of important roles in the body:
All the cells in the body , whether in the skin, glands, muscles, brain or anywher e
else, can only function pr operly if they have enough water . Water also pla ys a vital
part in regulating the body’s temper ature balance, particularl y through perspiration.
The combination of your weight and fat measur ement could appear to be ‘normal’ but
your body hydr ation level could be insucient for healthy living.
NORMAL HEAL THY RANGE OF BODYW ATER PERCENT AGE
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: “Hydr ation of fat-free body mass” . American Journal Clin Nutr
1999, 69 833-841.
Body water measurement r esults are influenced by the pr oportion of body fat and
muscle. If the proportion o f body fat is high, or the pr oportion of muscle is low
then the body water results will tend to be lo w. It is important to remember that
measurements such as body weight, body f at and body water are tools for you to use
as part of your healthy lif estyle. As short term fluctuations are normal, w e suggest
you chart your pr ogress over time, rather than focus on a single da ys reading.
The Body W ater % ranges published are for guidance only . Prof essional
medical guidance should alway s be sought before embarking on die t and
exer cise programmes.
WHA T DOES MY BMI V ALUE
MEAN?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is an
index of weight-for -height
that is commonly used to
classify underweight,
overweight and obesity in
adults. This scale calculates
your BMI value for you. The
BMI categories shown in
the chart and table below
are r ecognised by the WHO
(World Heal th Organisation)
and can be used to interpret
your BMI value.
Y our BMI category can be
identified using the table
below .
BMI Category BMI Value Meaning Heal th Risk Based Solely On BMI
< 18.5 Underweightt Moderate
18.6-24.9 Normal Low
25-29.9 Overweight Moderate
30+ Obese High
IMPORT ANT: If the chart/table shows that you are outside of a ‘normal ’ healthy
weight range, consult your doctor befor e taking any action. BMI classifications are for
adults (age 20+ years) onl y.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
How exactly is m y body fat and water being measured?
This Salter Scale uses a measurement method kno wn as Bioelectrical Impedance
Analysis (BIA). A minute curr ent is sent through your body , via your feet and legs.
This current flows easil y through the lean muscular tissue, which has a high fluid
content, but not easily thr ough fat . Ther efore, by measuring your body’s impedance
(i.e. its resistance to the curr ent), the quantity of muscle can be determined. Fr om
this, the quantity of fat and water can then be estimated.
What is the value of the current passing thr ough me when the measurement is
taken? Is it safe?
The current is less than 1mA, which is tiny and perf ectly 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 wa ter at dierent times during the day , it can
vary quite considerably . Which value is corr ect?
Y our body fat percentage r eading varies with body water content , and the latter
changes throughout the course of the day . Ther e 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 h ydrated. Avoid taking r eadings after having a bath or
sauna, following intensiv e exercise, or within 1-2 hours of drinking in quantity or
eating a meal.
My friend has a Body F at Analyser made by another manuf acturer .
When I used it I found that I got a dierent body f at reading. Why is this?
Dierent Body F at Analysers take measurements ar ound dierent parts of the body
and use dierent mathematic algorithms to calculate the per centage 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 m y body fat and water percentage readings?
Please refer to the Body F at and Water tables included with the pr oduct. They will
guide you as to whether your body fat and water r eading falls into a healthy category
(relative to y our age and sex).
What should I do if my body fat r eading is very ‘high?
A sensible diet, fluid intake and exer cise program can reduce y our body fat
percentage. Professional medical guidance should al ways be sought before
embarking on such a progr am.
Why are the body fat per centage ranges for men and women so dieren t?
Women natur ally carry a higher percentage of fat than men, because the mak e-up of
the body is dierent being gear ed towards pr egnancy , breastfeeding etc.
What should I do if my water percentage r eading is ‘low’?
Ensure that you ar e regularly taking sucient water and work towards mo ving your
fat percentage into the heal thy range.
Why should I avoid using the Body Anal yser Scale whilst pregnant?
During pregnancy a woman’s body composition changes consider ably in order to
6’6
6’4
6’2
6
5’10
5’8
5’6
5’4
5’2
5
4’10
2.00
1.88
1.68
1.52
1.76
1.96
1.84
1.64
1.48
1.92
1.72
1.56
1.80
1.60
610
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