Why display the fat mass in lbs and not the fat rate in % of the total mass?
The fat rate is the relationship between the fat mass and the total weight, expressed as a percentage. It can be useful to compare them among individuals of the same age and same sex, but it is however deceiving to interpret the monitoring of your weight over time.
For example, if during a diet you only lose water, your weight is lower and your fat mass remains constant. Result: your fat rate has increased. You have however not gained fatty mass.
It is therefore preferable to simply monitor the values of your weight, your fat mass and your lean mass in pounds. The Withings WiFi body scale allows you to compare their evolution graphs and better control the effects of a diet.
What is the yoyo effect? How can I avoid it?
During a poorly controlled diet, an endless chain of weight loss/weight gain expresses the yoyo effect.
To understand it, you need to know that when you eat, part of the food is immediately transformed into available energy by the body, part is eliminated and finally a part is stored in the form of fat .
During a poorly adapted diet (if you miss meals) the body will react at the least excess by storing food in the form of fat, a greater proportion of fat. This is the yoyo effect that the Withings scale, by giving you the fat mass, will help you to detect quickly and better avoid.
It is highly recommended you refer to a specialist doctor before going on a diet, as each situation is unique.
What is a normal weight?
This notion, although widespread, is misleading: there is no ideal weight.
Weight, depending on recent diet or hydration, can vary by several kilos in a few days. Complex regulation mechanisms intervene and a variation of 1 to 2 kg over a short duration is not significant.
It is more suitable to define a "weight normality zone".
The World Health Organization (WHO) offers a standardized method to define this normality zone: the Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated simply as the relationship of an individual's weight with the square of his/her height. The normality zone is the range of BMI values for which the risk of nutrition-linked illness are minimal.
Why is monitoring weight not enough?
Monitoring weight alone doesn't take into account the evolution of the different compartments of our body, which have different health and aesthetic impacts.
To control a slimming objective (loss of fat), put on weight (take on volume) or simply control your body balance and physical fitness, we can distinguish two components of our body:
Fat mass amorphous, non-vascular compartment that corresponds to the triglycerides of the fatty tissue. This mass represents approximately 15% of a man's total body weight and 23% of a woman's. The presence of fat in the body is vital, it ensures temperature regulation and represents an envelope for organs and joints.
Lean mass is all of the muscles, bones and organs. It contains vital elements, water and electrolytes (approximately 73%), mineral salts and proteins (27%). Lean mass unites the body's engines, which consume energy.
Diet and physical activity have distinct effects on each of these compartments, and it isn't possible to interpret a weight variation correctly without the precise analysis of each of these compartments.
For example, some women see their weight increase during their premenstrual cycle. This variation is due to an increase in water stored in the lean mass, without there being any fat gain.
Conversely, an intense physical activity can lead to a loss of water by sweating and therefore a 1 to 2 kg loss of weight in a few hours. But there again, no impact on fat. Significant variations of the fat stored will furthermore always take several weeks.
Finally, certain poorly adapted diets can lead to muscular wasting, without loss of fat and therefore not lead to the desired aesthetic effect. A distinct monitoring of the fat mass and the lean mass will help detect such a food imbalance.
Why control your lean mass?
Lean mass is all of the muscles, bones and organs.
It contains vital elements, water and electrolytes (approximately 73%), and mineral salts and proteins (27%). Lean mass unites the body's engines, which consume energy: it is therefore a good indicator of the potential to become thinner.
For example, a former athlete always loses weight easily (having the ability to use free fatty acids via muscles during exercise). Conversely certain people with a normal weight can have a fat mass of more than 40% of their body weight; weight loss will therefore be difficult without practicing a physical activity.
In fact, physical exercise develops your muscular mass, which increases the speed at which calories are burnt. Increasing your muscular mass will increase your metabolic rate, which helps to reduce our excess body fat and helps you to lose weight healthily.
The knowledge and monitoring of your lean mass are therefore important to correctly interpret a weight variation and improve your behavior.
An unbalanced diet can lead to muscular atrophy, which negatively impacts overall health.
From the lean mass the daily rest energy expenditure, also known as the basal metabolic rate, can be estimated. You'll want to adjust your diet so that the number of calories consumed is in line with this number, which may decrease when consuming fewer calories but increases when you are more physically active.
What is a normal body composition?
The normal body composition fulfils the following objectives:
- To have and maintain a weight within the limits minimizing health risks
(corresponding to a BMI between 18 and 25),
- Have a muscular mass adapted to its lifestyle,
- Have a sufficient fatty mass to ensure its vital role in the body,
but without excess,
- Have personal satisfaction regarding aesthetics.
Separately follow the evolutions of the fat mass and the lean mass and compare the values in relation to references established depending on age, height and sex, helps to detect unbalance and understand the reasons for this.
It is essential to refer to a specialist doctor in the event of any doubts.
How do I determine my weight accurately?
Weight can vary during the day by approximately 2 kg among adults (1kg among children).
To monitor your weight accurately, here are a few tips to follow:
- Situate the scale on a stable floor and leave it in the same place.
- Ideally weigh yourself in the morning on waking, without clothes.
- Do not weigh yourself immediately after eating or drinking
Is there a warranty?
The Company warrants to the original purchaser that the product shall be free from material defects for a period of one year from the original date of purchase. If the product is determined to be defective during the warranty period the Company will either repair or replace the product. The warranty will not apply if the product is modified or damaged. Proof of purchase is necessary to make a warranty claim
Why not display the percentage of water in the body?
Water in the body is distributed between intra-cellular water and extra-cellular water. Conditions like pregnancy or edema, hydration of the body can strongly vary. Monitoring the hydration rate is essential with a medical accompaniment, which we recommend in the event of any doubts.
This is why we have chosen not to directly display the hydration rate in the Withings WiFi body scale for the general public
