Health and Fitness Information Center

Why do I need to monitor my body fat?

• Health Topics

• Asthma/Allergies
• Blood Pressure
• Blood Testing
• Body Fat Measuring
• Breast Exam
• Breastfeeding
• Cholesterol
• Defibrillator
• Diabetes
• Family Health
• Fitness
• Nutrition
• Safety
• Stress
• Thermometry
• Weight Control

But too much fat can damage your health and could put you at greater risk of developing serious medical conditions. Excess body fat is known to contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and some forms of cancer.*

Visceral Fat (Abdominal Fat) is the fat that surrounds the vital organs on the trunk / stomach area of the body. High Visceral Fat levels increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Lowering Visceral Fat levels can stabilize insulin action substantially, and reduce the risk of diabetes and other related illnesses.*²

Body fat is not always visible to the naked eye. You may have an acceptable weight and figure, but could still be carrying more body fat than you think.

Reducing excess body fat will help you improve your body shape and appearance. You'll feel better, you'll look better, you'll be more self confident - and you'll enjoy a better, fitter quality of life.

Weight alone cannot distinguish between the pounds that come from body fat and those that come from lean body tissue, such as muscle and bone.The Tanita Body Fat / Body Composition Monitors keep a regular check on your body fat levels, helping you stay within the healthy ranges. Select monitors specifically monitor you visceral fat level.

Healthy Visceral Fat Levels:
Low Risk(1-12)
High Risk(13-59)

*(Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute - Clinical Guidelines.)
*²(This is an estimate of your visceral fat mass based on your measured body size and composition)