FAQ - Personal scales
Korona dianostic scales operate according to the B.I.A. principle (bioelectric impedance analysis). This
enables the measurement of physical relationships within seconds by means of an undetectable, completely harmless electric current. The body fat percentage and other physical relationships in the body can be determined by measuring the electrical resistance (impedance) and calculating constants and individual parameters such as age, height, gender and degree of activity.
Muscle tissue and water have good electrical conductivity, and therefore lower resistance. Bones and fatty tissue, on the other hand, have low conductivity as fat cells and bones conduct hardly any current as a result of their very high resistance. Please be aware that values obtained from the diagnostic scale represent only an approximation of actual analytical medical data. Only a specialist physician can accurately determine body fat, body water, muscle percentage and bone structure using medical procedures (e.g. computed tomography).
enables the measurement of physical relationships within seconds by means of an undetectable, completely harmless electric current. The body fat percentage and other physical relationships in the body can be determined by measuring the electrical resistance (impedance) and calculating constants and individual parameters such as age, height, gender and degree of activity.
Muscle tissue and water have good electrical conductivity, and therefore lower resistance. Bones and fatty tissue, on the other hand, have low conductivity as fat cells and bones conduct hardly any current as a result of their very high resistance. Please be aware that values obtained from the diagnostic scale represent only an approximation of actual analytical medical data. Only a specialist physician can accurately determine body fat, body water, muscle percentage and bone structure using medical procedures (e.g. computed tomography).
- If possible, always weigh yourself at the same time of day (preferably in the morning), after using the toilet, on an empty stomach and unclothed, in order to achieve comparable results.
- Important for the measurement: only measure body fat when barefoot and with the soles of the feet slightly moist. Completely dry soles can result in unsatisfactory measurements due to inadequate conductivity.
- Stand still and upright during the measurement.
- Wait a few hours after unaccustomed physical activity.
- Wait approx. 15 minutes after getting up in the morning to allow the water in the body to distribute.
- Remember that only long-term trends are important. Short-term changes in weight within a few days are usually caused by a loss of fluid. Body water plays an important role towards our general wellbeing.
When measuring body fat and other values, deviating and implausible results may occur in:
- children under approx. 10 years,
- competitive athletes and body builders,
- pregnant women (due to the amniotic fluid),
- persons with fever, undergoing dialysis treatment or with symptoms of edema or osteoporosis,
- persons taking cardiovascular medication (affecting the heart and vascular system),
- persons taking vascular dilating or vascular constricting medication,
- persons with considerable anatomic deviations of the legs in relation to total body size (length of the legs considerably shortened or lengthened).
Physical exercise leads to a specific metabolism and high muscle
density. This leads to an increase in the body’s resistance. So that
this increased resistance is not wrongly interpreted as fat, you can
adapt the measurement parameters to suit different (sport-related)
physical conditions. Select the level of activity that best fits your
normal daily routine:
- Light/irregular sport (1): walking, light sport without regular training.
- Regular recreational sport (2): Average physical activity, approx. 30 mins 2-5 times per week (e.g. long walks, regular sport, etc.)
- Competitive sport (3): Intensive physical exertion, intensive training or hard physical work, at least 1 hour each day.
The body fat values are shown in the display. The following body fat percentages are guide values (contact your physician for further information). The body fat chart that is also shown on the display (at the bottom) of some diagnostic scales is only to provide more simple orientation.
A lower value is often found in athletes. Depending on the type of sports, training intensity and physical constitution, values may result which are below the recommended values stated. It should, however, be noted that there could be a danger to health in the case of extremely low values.
A lower value is often found in athletes. Depending on the type of sports, training intensity and physical constitution, values may result which are below the recommended values stated. It should, however, be noted that there could be a danger to health in the case of extremely low values.
The body water percentage is normally within the following ranges:
Body fat contains relatively little water. Therefore persons with a high body fat percentage have body water percentages below the recommended values. With endurance athletes, however, the recommended values could be exceeded due to low fat percentages and high muscle percentage.
This scale is unsuitable for measuring body water in order to draw medical conclusions concerning age-related water retention, for example. If necessary ask your physician. Basically, a high body water percentage should be the aim.
Body fat contains relatively little water. Therefore persons with a high body fat percentage have body water percentages below the recommended values. With endurance athletes, however, the recommended values could be exceeded due to low fat percentages and high muscle percentage.
This scale is unsuitable for measuring body water in order to draw medical conclusions concerning age-related water retention, for example. If necessary ask your physician. Basically, a high body water percentage should be the aim.
The body mass index (BMI) is a number that is often called upon to evaluate body weight. The number is calculated from body weight and height, the formula is:
Body mass index = body weight : height².
The unit of measure for BMI is [kg/m²]. Using the BMI, weight is classified for adults (20 years and over) with the following values (source: WHO):
Body mass index = body weight : height².
The unit of measure for BMI is [kg/m²]. Using the BMI, weight is classified for adults (20 years and over) with the following values (source: WHO):
The displayed calorie requirement is the amount of energy that the active body needs each day. A person’s calorie requirement increases with more physical activity and is calculated by the diagnostic scales (in athlete mode) using the selected level of activity (1-3).
To maintain the current weight, the energy that the body uses must be replaced in the form of food and drink. If less energy is taken in that is used over a long period of time, the body takes the difference from the fat stores and loses weight. On the other hand, if more energy is taken in than the calculated calorie requirement, the body cannot burn off the excess energy. The excess is stored in the body as fat and the body gains weight.
To maintain the current weight, the energy that the body uses must be replaced in the form of food and drink. If less energy is taken in that is used over a long period of time, the body takes the difference from the fat stores and loses weight. On the other hand, if more energy is taken in than the calculated calorie requirement, the body cannot burn off the excess energy. The excess is stored in the body as fat and the body gains weight.
Remember that only long-term trends are important. Short-term fluctuations in weight over a few days are usually the result of a loss of fluid. The interpretation of the results reflects changes in total body weight, percentage of body fat and body water as well as muscle density, and takes into account the length of time over which these changes take place. Sudden changes within days must be distinguished from medium term changes (over weeks) and long term changes (months).
A basic rule is that short term changes in weight almost exclusively represent changes in water content, whereas medium and long term changes may also involve the fat and muscle percentages. If your weight reduces over the short term, • but your body fat percentage increases or remains the same, you have merely lost water – e.g. after a training session, sauna session or a diet restricted only to rapid weight loss.
A basic rule is that short term changes in weight almost exclusively represent changes in water content, whereas medium and long term changes may also involve the fat and muscle percentages. If your weight reduces over the short term, • but your body fat percentage increases or remains the same, you have merely lost water – e.g. after a training session, sauna session or a diet restricted only to rapid weight loss.
- If your weight increases over the medium term and the body fat percentage falls or stays the same, then you could have built up valuable muscle mass.
- If your weight and body fat percentage fall simultaneously then your diet is working – you are losing fat mass.
- Ideally you should support your diet with physical activity, fitness or power training. This way you can increase your muscle percentage over the medium term.
- Body fat, body water or muscle percentages should not be added (certain elements of muscle tissue also contain body water).