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ABOUT ATHLETE MODE
5. Why is the Athlete Mode necessary in a Body
Fat Analyzer?
It has been found that body fat estimation using BIA
could overestimate the percentage body fat of adult
elite athletes. The physiological variation of athletes
in muscle density and level of hydration are two of
the reasons said to account for the difference.
The Athlete mode is selectable only for adults of 18
years of age or older.
6. What is the definition of an Athlete?
The general consensus among researchers is that a
quantitative dimension could be use in defining an
athlete. For example, an athlete could be defined as
a person who consistently trains a minimum of three
times per week for two hours each time, in order to
improve specific skills required in the performance of
their specific sport and/or activity.
ABOUT DAILY CALORIE INTAKE
7. What are calories?
In medicine, the quantity of energy contained in food
is measured in kilocalories (one kilocalorie = 1,000
calories). The human body uses this energy to live
and breathe and go about its everyday activities. We
can use the notion of kilocalorie (Cal) or kilojoule,
which is now the international unit. Diets however are
counted in calories. Just remember that 1 Cal = 4.18
kilojoules (kjoules, or kJ).
All food provides calories and all calories provide ener-
gy. The components of food (nutriments: protein, fat,
carbohydrate) cover our energy needs.
i.e. 1 g of proteins provides 17 kJ (4 kCal)
Other nutriments (Water, Vitamins, Minerals and
Fibre) do not provide energy. Food and drink are
composed of a combination of Protein, Fat and
Carbohydrate.
The energetic value of food therefore corresponds
to the sum of calories provided by each nutriment.
It is always given per 100 g of food.
8. Which factors influence the calculation of a
person’s energy requirements?
Several factors influence the calculation of a person’s
energy requirements. They correspond to the different
origins of the body’s energy expenditure.
a/ The basic metabolism: it is the minimum energy
needed for everyday life. Even when resting, the
human body is very busy: the heart beats, the brain
sends its messages, the muscles work…
the Basic Metabolism represents 60 to 70% of
energy expenditure.
b/ Age: children and teenagers burn more energy
per kilogram of body weight than adults. Energy
requirements increase until around the age of 20
then they start to reduce by 2% per decade until
the age of 60 and then by 10%.
c/ Gender: men spend more energy than women.
Their body contains less body fat and 10 to 20% more
muscle than women of the same age and height.
Generally speaking, the energy requirements of
men are 5 to 10% higher than those of women.
Exceptions: a pregnant or breastfeeding mother needs a higher energy
intake for the good health of mother and baby.
d/ Thermoregulation: it corresponds to the energy
needed to maintain the body at its physiological tem-
perature of 37°C. A person living in a cold environment
will burn more energy. Modern living conditions (central
heating, warm clothes) reduce this consumption. This
variation factor has become negligible.
e/ Thermogenesis: this is the energy burnt due
to food intake, digestion of food and storage of
nutriments. It represents 10% of total energy
expenditure.
f/ Muscular work: an active person burns more
calories than a sedentary person. Washing,
dressing, gardening, walking or sport are all
activities that consume the energy provided by our
body. Expenditure depends on the type of activity
and its intensity.
ELECTRONIC BATHROOM SCALE - BODY FAT ANALYZER
Nutriments (for one gram) Calories Kilojoules
Carbohydrate 4 kilocalories 17 kilojoules
Protein 4 kilocalories 17 kilojoules
Fat 9 kilocalories 38 kilojoules
