Omron BF% analyzer

CathydsRNA

Cathlete
Hi, I was thinking of getting one but the reviews I have done on BF% analysis have indicated that electrical impedence measurements are the least accurate of all methods currently available but nevertheless.... My question is why are there two modes; one for people who work out and one for those who are less active. The measurement should be the measurement (ie. you have X% fat ot you have Y% fat...end of question). Its either fat or it isn't no matter what your exercise level. The algorhythm the instrument uses must make certain assumptions based on how much you exercise...it doesn't make sense. Has anyone with an Omron tested their BF% using the two different modes? How different were the readings? It really shouldn't be different because as I said fat is fat and if the instrument is using an additional algorhythm, I don't think I would trust the reading very much. Also I have read that the Omron's reading is more accurate for the upper body and those who use electrical impedence scales that they stand on have a much higher BF% reading because these tend to give lower body BF% . Anyone have both a scale type device (Tanita) and an Omron. Are the BF% very different. A lot of questions I know. Thanks
 
Great questions Cathy...I was thinking of getting one too, but something holds me back. I'm looking forward to the answers.

Tammy
 
Check out the Omron at the elitephysique website. It has quite a bit of info on relating to these questions. But, %hydration, %muscle, when you ate last, when you peed last, etc can all affect readings. That's why it is best to be consistant on the time of day readings are taken and first thing in the am seems to be the most consistant for me anyway. I do notice a slight increase in BF% during PMS/TTOM transistion days (like 2), then it goes back to consistent. I have an unpredictable TTOM Day 1 date and the Omron helps me pinpoint the day 1. Check out the website its really hard to explain the science.
 
I would like to know the answer to this as well. I do have an Omron, and the readings are so unpredictable. I take it first thing in the morning (after i pee) and from one day to the next it can be as much as 2% off. On MsFit's site, she says to take it in female and male mode, take an average of the two and subtract 1%. That throws it even higher for me.

;(
 
That is what I don't understand. If this is measuring fat, then it shouldn't matter if you are male or female, an athlete or a non-athlete. There has to be another calculation in here that is assuming some things and that is where I hesitate. There can't be an average calculation for everyone that is not directly based on the measurements. Underwater weighing makes no assumptions, it measures body fat% and that is that. No other calculations based on being male, female, fit or not fit. It is what it is. I also have a Tanita and it was way off compared to when I was underweighed over a year ago:-( . I use it at the same time of day, as soon as I roll out of bed and it shows that my BF% can go up and down by as much as 3% from one day to the next. That is impossible. But that is yet another gripe;(
 
I agree with Wendy on this so I am going to be getting the accu measure. I am sure mine is not off much, but we all want to know the true body fat. I know when I take mine in the morning after I (pee) it will read 15.2%, etc. and then I have taken it again, lets say 15 mins later and it would read 15.9%...hows that? I didn't eat anything or drink anything! My heart rate might have increased some due to be more awake, but that is it.

Charlotte~~
 
Thanks Suzanne,
That was an in depth discussion. I will follow some of the tips regarding the electrical impedence measurements and see if I get more consistent results.
Thanks again:)
 
Cathy:
You are welcome. Sorry I didnt include it in my earlier post, but it took me a while to find it again.

Oh, I see we are both lab rats. Isnt working in a lab so much fun(except for the long hours)? I am working today as I write this. I just cant seem to take a day off when the research is going so well.
 
Hi Suzanne, I know what you mean. It's always like an adventure especially when things are working. What area are you in?
 
Well, here is my story. Since I started MsFit 3 days ago, and her fat loss diet (1600cal/day) according to omron my bf increased from 18 to 20. I lost pounds, and I know that it is water and glycogen but if I would not know that, I would start start to panic. I'm probably less hydrated, that's the cause for the increased number. Interestingly the caliper still shows that same 18%, maybe actually less than that. Honestly, I rather trust the caliper. It has no silly "modes" or whatsoever, you just pinch the fat (regardless whether you are male of female or athletic or not) and see the number on the scale. It is just so much easier. Mari
 
I do bochemistry. At the moment, we trying to purify a very small molecule (its not a polypeptide we dont think) that upregulates dopamine. It has obvious potential so the project is fascinating and addictive. How about you? I think I remember you saying that you are a virologist working on Hep C? Is that right? I used to work on HSV1. We found the mechanism of invasion into the body. HSV1 binds to PP1 and dephosphorylates eIF-2alpha and stops the shutoff of protein synthesis by dsRNA dependent protein kinase (PKR). THat was a fun project too. I came in on weekends, and stayed after hours running lots of gels.
 
Yes. Hep B and C. We are working on deveoping RNAi-based therapeutics for both. I used to work with HSV2, specifically the gD glycoprotein and immune response to gD-based vaccines.Have several pubs on that research. I have done alot of work on the dsRNA-stress and interferon response too (including PKR activation), epsecially with respect to what types of RNA induce what components of these responses and have seen differences depending on whether the RNA is delived to the cell or expressed within it. Lots of fun!
 

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