Calipers vs. Scale?

[tetons]

Hi ladies

Does anyone know which one is more accurate for measuring body fat? I have always had my body fat measured on scales and it is always in the teens... this past September it was 19. Yesterday I had someone do a caliper test and she said it was 27! Holy buckets... my weight has not changed more than 2-3 pounds (if any) in the past years and I was just so surprised by this. Could my % of body fat grown that much in that short of a time? Makes me wonder which of those methods is most accurate.

Anyone know the answer or have similar results?

Thanks!

 

[cakebaker]

A lot depends on the skill of the person using the calipers.

 

[pixie9]

Calipers are more accurate. The scales use an electronic pulse and results vary WIDELY depending on the amount of water in your body, time of day, time of months, when you exercise, last meal you ate, etc. I once used the scale 4 times in a day just to see how the results changed. I believe it went from 26%,24%,27%, and 22% in ONE day! However, I agree with the other poster about getting someone who is experienced with the caliper technique.

That being said, you can gain fat while not gaining weight. In fact, some people find that they can actually lose weight while losing muscle and gaining fat. So in other words, someone can be 'skinny fat'. I'm not saying that you are. I would get a quilified person to measure me with calipers if I were you.

Carolyn