Health and Fitness Information Center

Know Your Weight and Body Fat Percentage

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• Body Fat Measuring
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• Weight Control

Losing Weight Can Make You Fatter
"A" and "B" were the same height, weight and had the same percentage of body fat. Each lost 10 pounds over the same period of time. Although their weights are identical, "A" is now fatter. She simply cut calories, resulting in the loss of muscle tissue, meaning her percentage of body fat increased. By combining a low-fat diet with a program of exercises, "B" lost 10 lb. and her body fat dropped to 21%.

It's Important To Know Your Body Fat
It's not the amount of weight you have but the amount of body fat that's potentially dangerous to your health. Carrying too much body fat can increase your risk of developing serious health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Maintaining a healthy body fat percentage can reduce your risk and help prevent the onset of these conditions.

Until now, getting a body fat reading has been expensive and time-consuming, usually conducted only through medical and athletic facilities - or simply left to guesswork.

Body-fat measurement, is a much better indicator of overall health and fitness. For example, you may be the same height and weight as someone considered to be obese, but if you have relatively dense bones and a lot of muscle -- and therefore less body fat -- you will not merit the same diagnosis.

Medical professionals have determined that a healthy range of body fat is 14%-20% for men, and 17%-24% for women. Note: For your own body fat range consult your physician.

In 1992, Tanita introduced the world's first integrated body fat monitor and scale for professional use based on the BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis) method for determining body composition. Since then, Tanita has successfully adapted this technology for home use.

If you would like to include body fat reading on your health monitoring program, Tanita offers a range of Scale plus Body Fat Monitors for every lifestyle and budget - from personal monitors to full-featured family models. All models have at least a 300 lb. weight capacity and can measure in pounds, kilograms or British stone pounds. Batteries are always included.