Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
The equipment used in this method of measuring body fat can often be seen in gyms and shopping malls. It may be a device that looks like a complex weighing scale or be a simple hand-held device. A mild, imperceptible electrical current is passed through the body between a variable number of electrodes. Muscle will conduct the current easily, while fat will impede it. The amount of electrical impedance gives an indirect indication of the amount of fat in the body.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is undoubtedly convenient and easy. It provides quick estimates of the total fat mass, body fat percentage, lean body mass and even basal metabolic rate. However, there are other variables that affect bioelectrical impedance, such as the level of hydration. In the first week of following your weight loss tips, the body tends to lose water through urination (water diuresis). The loss of water results in increased bioelectrical impedance. BIA would thus overestimate body fat and confuse people who have, in fact, lost weight.
BIA is most useful for determining one’s body fat percentage before embarking on a how to lose weight fast program. However, as it is generally not sensitive enough to detect small changes, it is less useful for serial measurements during a weight-loss program. In other words, it is not advisable to monitor your weekly progress using BIA.
Hydrostatic Weighing
Equipment for hydrostatic weighing is usually found in research laboratories. The procedure is extremely tedious. Subjects must be totally immersed in water and weighed
- definitely not practical outside of the laboratory.
Air Displacement
This uses the same principle as hydrostatic weighing, but instead of being immersed in water, the subject sits comfortably in an enclosed chamber, such as the BOD POD?. Air displacement is not common, except in research laboratories, because the equipment is costly and not widely available.