Health and Fitness Information Center

How to start monitoring your body composition

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Stage One - When to take a reading
BIA depends on your body's hydration (water) level, which along with your weight will fluctuate naturally throughout the day. You will probably get different readings from your Tanita Monitor if you take measurements at different times of the day.

Consistency is the key when taking your readings. The best time is in the early evening, before your meal. This is when your hydration level will be more stable.

Avoid taking readings after you've woken up in the morning. Not only will you be dehydrated, but also the majority of fluid in your body will be stored in the central trunk area. As the day progresses, the fluid becomes more evenly distributed through the limbs, increasing the accuracy of the readings.

Other factors which can affect your hydration level and the accuracy of the readings include:

• Alcohol
• Temperature
• Exercise
• Menstruation
• Medical conditions
• Caffeine
• Bathing patterns
• Medications

Remember:
Take your readings at the same time and under the same conditions every day. Look for the long-term trend - body fat levels change slowly over time.