Can Body Fat Scales be Trusted?

While these scales can give you a rough estimate of your BFP, they are not very accurate.

According to a study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, body fat scales, also known as bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices, have been found to have a moderate correlation with more accurate methods of measuring body fat percentage such as hydrostatic weighing and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). However, the study also found that the accuracy of BIA devices can be affected by a number of factors such as hydration levels, muscle mass, and bone density.

Another study published in the Journal of Obesity found that BIA devices are not as accurate in obese individuals, and may overestimate body fat percentage in this population.

Conclusion

In the end, body fat scales can give you a rough idea of your body fat percentage, but their accuracy depends on the person and the device used. It is best to use body fat scales as a general guide, not as the only way to figure out your body fat percentage.

For a more accurate estimate of your body fat percentage, talk to a health care professional.