Bathroom Scale Brands

Using body-fat scales and measurements

Body-fat scales rely on an electrical current (termed bioelectrical impedence analysis, or BIA) to predict body-fat percentage, but this measurement can be easily skewed by a variety of factors, such as the time of day, the person's diet on a given day, amount of water consumed and so forth. In actuality, the same is true of digital and analog scales, albeit to a lesser degree. For example, most people find that their weight fluctuates (sometimes up to 5 pounds) during the course of a single day. For this reason, it's best to use any scale at the same time each day and under similar conditions. Most experts say it's best to weigh yourself first thing in the morning to avoid fluctuations due to daily activities.

Wendy Bumgardner, walking expert for About.com, says body-fat scales should be used three hours after a meal and after emptying your bladder. Because dehydration can cause inaccurate readings, body-fat scales shouldn't be used first thing in the morning, immediately following a workout or after consuming alcohol.  (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

An older article in Muscle & Fitness Hers magazine examines this issue by speaking with a number of experts about the various body-fat measurement methods available. Dr. Richard Pierson Jr., professor of clinical medicine at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, a part of Columbia University, says that body-fat scales are a more accurate indicator of body-fat loss over short periods of time than skinfold calipers. That's because body-fat scales can detect smaller changes in visceral fat, before there would be a measurable difference in skin folds.

MedicineNet.com asks three exercise physiologists to rate various types of body-fat measurement tools, including body-mass index (BMI) calculators, body-fat scales, skin-fold calipers and a few advanced techniques.

ConsumerReports.org last tested body-fat scales in 2003. In an interview, Ed Kippel, senior program leader, explains that the organization has chosen not to test body-fat scales based on testing results indicating that body-fat scales in general are not accurate.

WebMD.com also discusses body-fat monitors and other techniques that are more accurate for measuring body fat.

Calorie Count, a service of About.com, includes a BMI calculator, a helpful tool that can compute personal body mass index.

Using a scale as part of a weight-loss program

Shape magazine has a brief article explaining why body weight isn't a good indicator of overall health, including a checklist of questions to use for gauging wellness.

Prevention magazine also weighs in on the weight loss subject with tips on how to "Make Friends with Your Scale."

JohnIsFit.com is a blog chronicling the author's journey from fat to fit. An article covering different types of bathroom scales is also useful.

HealthDiscovery.net has an interesting article describing various factors that can cause a person's weight to fluctuate from day to day.

Types of bathroom scales

Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic, hosts of the syndicated Canadian television show "The Shopping Bags" offer a useful buying guide on their website, AnnaAndKristina.com, including tips on getting the most accurate read from a bathroom scale. Four models are compared, although the discussion centers around the type of scale (analog, digital, body fat) without disclosing which specific models are tested.

Bathroom scale brands

Art de Toilette

EatSmart

Escali

Health o meter

Homedics

My Weigh

Newline

Omron

Ozeri

Salter

Seca

Taylor

Tanita

Weight Watchers (Conair)

Withings