Muscle Mass: Understanding your Measurements

Understanding your Measurements

The definition of body composition is 'the percentages of bone, fat, water and muscle in human bodies'. All these factors can be measured.

This page explains which measurements there are, and how they impact you. Click on the links to read more about the different measurements.

Tanita produces body analyzers that can show you all these measurements. Tanita body composition monitors bring you fast, accurate body composition results using the latest advanced bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) technology developed by Tanita over the last 25 years. These body analysis scales give you a true indicator of your inner health and, when monitored over time, can show the impact of any fitness regime or weight loss programme.

Body fat is essential for maintaining body temperature, cushioning joints and protecting internal organs. Body fat scales can help you keep track of your body fat.

The energy, or calories, our body needs comes from what we eat and drink. Energy is burned through physical activity and general bodily functions. If you consume the same number of calories as you burn, all the calories are converted into energy. But if you consume more than you burn, excess calories are stored in fat cells. If this stored fat is not converted into energy later, it creates excess body fat.

Although you need healthy body fat, too much fat can damage your long-term health. Reducing excess levels of body fat has been shown to directly reduce the risk of certain conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

Too little body fat may lead to osteoporosis in later years, irregular periods in women and possible infertility.

It is important to keep track of your body fat with a body fat scale. Then you can check your body fat results against the Tanita healthy body fat ranges. These measurements are available for everyone from age five to 99 years.