Bioelectrical or hydrostatic body fat testing?

[LeanneM]

Hey everyone,

I have an appointment this coming week to get my body fat tested at Kaiser via bioelectrical impedance. (The nurse I spoke to a few weeks ago when I made the appointment assured me that their scale is much more accurate than my Tanita scale!;-) ) The cost is only $20, and I figure that it'll be good to see if my home-measuring methods are accurate or not. However, there is also a place in my town that does hydrostatic/water testing for $50.

Which one do you think is more accurate? I've read that the hydrostatic testing is considered to be the "gold standard," so would it be better to spend the extra money on that instead of the bioelectrical testing?

I'd appreciate any insight and advice! Thanks!

 

[tneah]

Hey chica!

You know this subject is near and dear to me. I would think that the underwater would be the way to go, it is the gold standard, well besides the one I did that total body scan deal which is way too expensive and hard to find. I would do both and compare? I know the bioelectrical impedance can be "off" by a few percentages either way. Just like your Tanita scale, which by the way, I do not use for the bodyfat measurement anymore....its too up and down! I use it for my weight only now.

 

[LeanneM]

Thanks, Tneah! You're so knowledgeable! The whole "dunking into water" thing makes me a bit nervous, but maybe I should do that one instead . . . .