Weight and Body Fat BMI — What Is It?

BMI — What Is It? weight gains and losses are common as your body adjusts to fewer calories and
Body Analysis Table Muscle Mass more exercise. Your scale is a valuable tool when used to track weight over a Before Using Scale
How does it work? BMI stands for Body Mass Index, a statistical term derived from height and weight. age % % % period of weeks and months. Be aware that different scales often give different
Always keep in mind that you know your body best. The following ranges of body Precautions for Use
While body fat can be measured in many ways, the method used in your scale It is closely linked to body fat and health outcomes. Over 50 organizations, Male 20-29 <33% 44.1% - 55% 66.1% + results. The scale at your doctor’s office may show one weight, and your scale at
is bioelectrical impedance. This indirect method of determining body fat starts when including the Australian and New Zealand Goverments and the World Health fat, BMI, body water, bone mass and muscle mass are offered as guides. CAUTION! Use of this device by persons with any electrical implant such
home another. So don’t get too caught up with a single number.
a safe and very low electrical current is sent through the lower half of the body. Organization, have adopted BMI guidelines. BMI is inversely related to fitness, 30-39 <32% 42.4% - 52.7% 63.1% + as a heart pacemaker, or by pregnant women, is not recommended.
The electrical current flows more quickly through water and muscle than it will meaning that the higher your BMI, the less likely you are to be fit. Every time your too lower normal higher too 40-49 <31% 40.4% - 49.7% 59% + Don’t Overdo It! Please consult your physician should you have any questions about the use
through bone and fat. The scale measures the speed of the current. Based on this body analysis monitor reads your weight and calculates your body fat, it also cal- low than than high of this product in relation to any condition you may have, or treatment you
50-59 <30% 38.8% - 47.3% 56% +
number, the scale estimates body fat using a multi-step, mathematical formula. culates your BMI. Along with your weight and your body fat measurements, the normal normal A surefire way to get overly concerned with your weight is to weigh yourself too may be receiving.
BMI reading gives you yet one more tool to monitor your health and fitness. 60-69 <29% 37.8% - 46.3% 55% + often. We generally recommend weighing yourself no more than once a week 1. Remove all packaging materials.
Is it accurate? when you’re dieting. Though it’s hard to stick to this pattern, it’s the best way to 2. Remove the isolator tab from the battery compartment – without opening the
Measurements of body fat tend to fluctuate a lot more than simple weighing, BMI <20 20-25 25+ prevent unnecessary concern with normal weight fluctuations, which are unrelated battery cover at the bottom of the scale, gently pull out the isolator tab. In case the
and different methods of estimating body fat yield very different results. Just as Body Water/Hydration Levels Female 20-29 < 26% 31.8% - 37.3% 43% +
to your weight-loss efforts. Regardless of your weighing habits, it’s important that tab cannot be pulled out, if it does not completely pull out or if the display does not
different scales give different results, different body fat analyzers can provide 30-39 < 25% 30.1% - 35% 40% + you’re consistent.
General health standards indicate that one should consume approximately Body Fat light up when you tap the scale, remove the screw from the battery cover, remove
very different body fat estimates. Even with the same scale the numbers will 2L of water per day from food and liquids to maintain a healthy level of 40-49 < 23% 28.1% - 33% 38% + the cover and gently pull out the isolator tab. Ensure the batteries are installed
vary because: hydration. Maintaining a good hydration level will help improve your overall health Here are 5 rules for effectively monitoring your weight – weigh yourself: correctly and then replace the battery cover and tighten the screw.
50-59 < 22% 26.8% - 31.3% 36% +
• Weight loss tends to produce substantial, continuous, and unpredictable changes and general feeling of well-being. If your hydration levels are lower than average, age % % % % % • Once a week, on the same day of • In the same place 3. For best accuracy, place scale on tile or hardwood floor, rather than uneven,
in body water content. Because body fat analysis is determined by water content 60-69 < 21% 25.8% - 30.3% 35% + the week • Wearing the same clothes
you should increase your water intake accordingly. Male 20-29 <13% 13.1-18% 18.1-23% 23.1-28% 28.1%+ flexible or soft flooring (such as carpet).
in the body, results can vary considerably from day to day. Make the most of it! • At the same time of day • Using the same scale
30-39 <14 14.1-19 19.1-24 24.1-29 29.1+
• Hydration status affects body fat results. If you’ve just worked out, there is less Body water/hydration level – how is it measured? To summarize, make the most of the body analysis feature by:
water for the electrical current to flow through. This may result in a higher body The hydration level is measured by using Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA). 40-49 <15 15.1-20 20.1-25 25.1-30 30.1+ Using the Weight Only Mode
• Tracking change over time and not day to day. To keep track of your weight, record only one number for the week.
fat result. In the same way, if you measure your body fat after drinking a lot of The same analysis that is used to calculate your body fat is used to calculate your 50-59 <16 16.1-21 21.1-26 26.1-31 31.1+ • Using the same scale as much as possible. This will give you a clear picture of any trend your weight is following.
fluid, it may appear that body fat is lower than it really is. hydration level. Taking into consideration a user’s age and gender, a calculation is • Being extra-consistent in the time of day, day of the week, time before or after Instructions for customizing your Weight Watchers Body Analysis Scale are
60-69 <17 17.1-22 22.1-27 27.1-32 32.1+
• Skin temperature can have an influence also. Measuring body fat in warm, humid made that determines the percentage of water. food and fluid consumption, before or after exercise, etc., when measuring When You’re Maintaining Weight provided. However, the scale does not need to be programmed to operate as a
weather when skin is moist will yield a different result than if skin is cold and dry. Please note: It is not recommended to take the hydration measurements in Female 20-29 <18 18.1-23 23.1-28 28.1-33 33.1+ simple weight scale.
body composition.
• As with weight, when your goal is to change body composition it is better to track certain situations, such as following exercise, after drinking a glass of water, or 30-39 <19 19.1-24 24.1-29 29.1-34 34.1+ Fluctuations in day-to-day weight tend to be smaller when weight is stable, 1. Tap the scale with your foot to turn it on. The display will light up.
trends over time than to use individual daily results. directly prior to, during or shortly after menstrual cycles. Hydration may not be 40-49 <20 20.1-25 25.1-30 30.1-35 35.1+ so a more frequent weigh-in pattern is helpful. To maintain a stable weight: 2. Wait until all digits light for several seconds and “0.00” appears.
While a scale can be a useful tool on your weight loss journey,
• Results may not be accurate for persons under the age of 16, or persons with at normal levels during these times. it’s not a complete program for losing weight. • Weigh yourself more often than once a week.
an elevated body temperature, diabetes or other health conditions. 50-59 <21 21.1-26 26.1-31 31.1-36 36.1+
Come to a Weight Watchers meeting or join online to learn the best • Research shows that people who keep weight within a 2-3kg range are more
60-69 <22 22.1-27 27.1-32 32.1-37 37.1+
What you need to know! Bone Mass — What Is It? way to lose and maintain weight. In Australia: 13 19 97 or likely to maintain a healthy body weight over the long term.
• Percent body fat refers to the number of kilograms of fat divided by your total www.weightwatchers.com/au, in New Zealand: 0800 009 009 or
Bone is a living, growing tissue. During youth, your body makes new bone
body weight and multiplied by 100. tissue faster than it breaks down older bone. In young adulthood, bone mass is
Body Water www.weightwatchers.co/nz.
• During weight loss, percent body fat doesn’t appear to be reduced as quickly age % % % % % Facts You Should Know
at its peak; after that, bone loss starts to outpace bone growth, and bone mass
as expected because total weight loss and total body fat are decreasing at the 3. Step on the scale and stand still to measure your weight. The display will blink
same time (for a more detailed explanation, see next section).
decreases. But it’s a long and very slow process that can be slowed down even Male 20-69 <46.4% 46.5-49.9% 50-65% 65.1-70% 70.1%+ Important Information Concerning Your Weight Watchers Scale is a precise measuring instrument that is most
more through calcium-rich diets and weight-bearing exercise. accurate when weighing a stationary object. To ensure accurate readings, and then shows your weight.
• Weight loss in the form of body fat and lean tissue (muscle) is common, and Female 20-69 <43.9 44-44.9 45-60 60.1-67.6 67.7+ Weight Management
always try to stand on the same area of the scale platform and DO NOT MOVE.
is normal. Who should monitor bone mass? Should the weight on the scale exceed the scale’s capacity, you may see an error
• To minimize the loss of lean tissue, include regular physical activity, especially Most people have no need to monitor bone mass, but certain groups – post- Your scale is the best tool for monitoring weight. While not the only measure
Bone Mass of weight loss, scales are the most popular method used to gauge weight-loss message “Err”.
strength training, in your weight-loss plan. menopausal women, men and women with certain diseases, and anyone who
takes medications that affect bone tissue – might want to watch for decreases in age % % % success. A scale measures the sum of your total body weight, which includes Electronic sensors are sensitive. Be careful not to drop or jar the scale.
Why do I lose weight but my body fat percentage doesn’t change much? bone mass. The bone mass reading is to be used as guide only. Watch for trends Male 20-29 <7.6% 7.6-8.4% 8.5%+ bone, muscle, fat, and water. Place it gently onto floor surface, and store where it will be protected from impact.
Remember that your Weight Watchers body fat monitor is showing your body fat as over time and contact your healthcare provider for a more detailed explanation of The scale is an electronic instrument and should never be submerged in water.
30-39 <7.4 7.4-8.2 8.3+ Clean with damp cloth and/or glass cleaner. 4. The weight reading stays lit for several seconds. Then the scale will shut
a percentage, not as an absolute number of kilograms. At the beginning of a weight the readings and with any questions or concerns. Body weight fluctuates during the day, and from day to day,
loss program, a person may weigh 100kg and show 30% body fat, equaling 30kg of 40-49 <7.0 7-7.8 7.9+ off automatically.
depending on a variety of factors. In the event that the scale batteries need to be replaced (display shows “Lo”),
fat (30% of 100 kg = 30kg). A few weeks later, the same person may have lost a 50-59 <6.6 6.6-7.4 •7.5+
Salt and carbohydrate intake can affect the body’s water retention. remove the screw from the battery cover on the bottom of the scale and remove
substantial amount of weight. Weight is now at 90kgs, yet body fat is still at 30%. Muscle Mass — What Is It? •7.2+
A large meal adds weight and can cause water retention. the cover. Replace the old batteries with 3 new AAA alkaline batteries. Clean the
5. When scale display is on, set switch on the base of the scale for measuring in
60-69 <6.3 6.3-7.1 pounds (lb) or kilograms (kg).
Why? Did that person not lose any fat? Yes, they did. At 90kgs with 30% body fat, Muscle mass is part of your lean body mass and gets measured as a percentage • Dehydration from exercise, illness, or low fluid intake can result in weight loss. battery contacts and also those of the device prior to battery installation. Ensure
the person now has 27kgs of body fat (30% of 90kgs = 27kgs), meaning that 3kgs of your total body weight. There are different types of muscles in the body and • Muscle is also a factor. Heavy-duty resistance training can build muscle, the batteries are installed correctly with regard to polarity (with the “+” side facing
of the total 10kgs lost were fat. So, do not be overly concerned if your percentage men and women tend to have different amounts of muscle tissue. If you are losing Female 20-29 <6.2% 6.2-7% 7.1%+ which can affect weight. up), then replace the battery cover and tighten the screw. Remove batteries from
of body fat does not change despite the fact that you are losing weight. weight, it is important to check if you are losing fat or muscle weight. Typically, 30-39 <6.0 6-6.8 • The menstrual cycle can cause temporary weight gains and losses.
6.9+ equipment that is not to be used for an extended period of time. Remove used
Remember, to minimise the loss of lean tissue include regular physical activity, you would want to lose fat rather than muscle. Muscles give tone and shape to batteries promptly. Dispose of the old batteries properly. Do not attempt to
40-49 <5.6 5.6-6.4 6.5+
especially strength training, in your weight loss plan. your body and they help burn energy, even at rest. To minimize the loss of lean When You’re Losing Weight open the scale or to remove any components. Servicing should be done by
tissue, include regular physical activity, especially strength training, in your weight- 50-59 <5.2 5.2-6 6.1+ qualified technicians only. See warranty information provided.
loss plan. 60-69 <4.9 4.9-5.7 It’s important not to put too much stock in the exact number on the scale,
5.8+
because it can and will vary. This is especially true when you’re dieting. Small