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5 Information
The measuring principle
This scale operates according to the B.I.A. principle (bioelectric impedance analysis). This
enables the measurement of physical relationships within seconds by means of an unde-
tectable, completely harmless electric current. The body fat percentage and other physical
relationships in the body can be determined by measuring the electrical resistance (imped-
ance) and calculating constants and individual parameters such as age, height, gender and
degree of activity.
Muscle tissue and water have good electrical conductivity, and therefore lower resistance.
Bones and fatty tissue, on the other hand, have low conductivity as fat cells and bones
conduct hardly any current as a result of their very high resistance.
Please be aware that values obtained from the diagnostic scale represent only an ap-
proximation of actual analytical medical data. Only a specialist physician can accurately
determine body fat, body water, muscle percentage and bone structure using medical pro-
cedures (e.g. computed tomography).
General tips
• If possible, always weigh yourself at the same time of day (preferably in the morning),
after using the toilet, on an empty stomach and unclothed, in order to achieve compara-
ble results.
• Important for the measurement: only measure body fat when barefoot and with the soles
of the feet slightly moist. Completely dry soles can result in unsatisfactory measure-
ments due to inadequate conductivity.
• Stand still and upright during the measurement.
• Wait a few hours after unaccustomed physical activity.
• Wait approx. 15 minutes after getting up in the morning to allow the water in the body to
distribute.
• Remember that only long-term trends are important. Short-term changes in weight
within a few days are usually caused by a loss of fluid. Body water plays an important
role towards our general wellbeing.
Limitations
When measuring body fat and other values, deviating and implausible results may occur in:
• children under approx. 10 years,
• competitive athletes and body builders,
• pregnant women,
• persons with fever, undergoing dialysis treatment or with symptoms of edema or osteo-
porosis,
• persons taking cardiovascular medication (affecting the heart and vascular system),
• persons taking vascular dilating or vascular constricting medication,
• persons with considerable anatomic deviations of the legs in relation to total body size
(length of the legs considerably shortened or lengthened).
