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Instructions
for use of
Weight Watchers
Body Fat Analysis
bathroom scales
Congratulations! By purchasing this Weight Watchers Scale, you’ve made the
first step toward taking control of your weight. To get the greatest benefit from
your purchase, please read this entire brochure before using your scale.
Scales by
™
Models #WW33D, WW35D
*Heshka S, et al. Weight loss with self-help compared to a structured commercial program: a randomized controlled trial.
JAMA 289(14): 1792, 2003
©2006 Conair Corporation. East Windsor, NJ 08520, Glendale, AZ 85307, Made in China
©2006 Weight Watchers International Inc. All rights reserved. Weight Watchers is the
registered trademark of Weight Watchers International Inc. and used under license.
When You’re Maintaining Weight
Fluctuations in day-to-day weight tend to be smaller when weight is stable, so a
more frequent weigh-in pattern is helpful. To maintain a stable weight:
• Weigh yourself more often than once a week.
• Use the “5-pound rule” – research shows that people who keep weight within
a 5-pound range are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight over the
long term.
Weight And Body Fat
How does it work?
While body fat can be measured in many ways, the method used in your scale is
bioelectrical impedance. This indirect method of determining body fat starts when a
safe and very low electrical current is sent through the lower half of the body. The
electrical current flows more quickly through water and muscle than it will through
bone and fat. The scale measures the speed of the current. Based on this number,
the scale estimates body fat using a multi-step, mathematical formula.
Is it accurate?
Measurements of body fat tend to fluctuate a lot more than simple weighing, and
different methods of estimating body fat yield very different results. Just as different
scales give different results, different body fat analyzers can provide very different
body fat estimates. Even with the same scale the numbers will vary because:
• Weight loss tends to produce substantial, continuous, and unpredictable changes
in body water content. Because body fat analysis is determined by water content
in the body, results can vary considerably from day to day.
• Hydration status affects body fat results. If you’ve just worked out, there is less
water for the electrical current to flow through. This may result in a higher body
fat result. In the same way, if you measure your body fat after drinking a lot of
fluid, it may appear that body fat is lower than it really is.
• Skin temperature can have an influence also. Measuring body fat in warm humid
weather when skin is moist will yield a different result than if skin is cold and dry.
• As with weight, it is better to track trends over time than to use individual daily
results, when your goal is to change body composition.
• Results may not be accurate for persons under the age of 16, or persons with an
elevated body temperature, diabetes or other health conditions.
What you need to know!
• Percent body fat refers to the number of pounds of fat divided by your total body
weight and multiplied by 100.
• During weight loss, percent body fat doesn’t appear to be reduced as quickly as
expected because total weight loss and total body fat are decreasing at the same
time (for a more detailed explanation, see next section).
• Weight loss in the form of body fat and lean tissue (muscle) is common, and is normal.
• To minimize the loss of lean tissue, include regular physical activity, especially
strength training, in your weight loss plan.
Why do I lose weight but my body fat doesn’t change much?
• Remember that your Weight Watchers body fat monitor is showing your body fat
as a percentage, not as an absolute number of pounds. At the beginning of
a weight loss program, a person may weigh 200 lbs and show 30% body fat,
equaling 60 lbs of fat (30% of 200 lbs = 60 lbs). A few weeks later, the same
person may have lost a substantial amount of weight. Weight is now at 180 lbs,
yet body fat is still at 30%. Why? Did that person not lose any fat? Yes, they did.
At 180 lbs with 30% body fat, the person now has 54 lbs of body fat (30% of
180 lbs = 54 lbs), meaning that 6 lbs of the total 20 lbs lost were fat. So, do not
be overly concerned if your body fat % does not change despite the fact that you
are losing weight. Remember, to minimize the loss of lean tissue include regular
physical activity, especially strength training, in your weight loss plan.
Make the most of it!
To summarize, make the most of the body fat analysis feature by:
• Tracking change over time and not day to day.
• Using the same scale as much as possible.
• Being extra-consistent in the time of day, day of the week, time before or after
food and fluid consumption, before or after exercise, etc., when measuring body
fat composition.
Always keep in mind that you know your body best. The following ranges
of Body Fat Percentages are offered as guides:
Healthy Range
of Body Fat
Percentage
While a scale/body fat monitor can be a useful tool on your weight-loss
journey, it’s not in and of itself a program for losing weight. Studies show
that people lose three times more weight on Weight Watchers than they
do on their own*.
Come to a meeting and learn from us the best way to lose and maintain
weight. Call 1-800-651-6000 or go to WeightWatchers.com to find a
meeting near you.
Service Centers:
Conair Corporation
Service Department
150 Milford Road
East Windsor, NJ 08520
Conair Corporation
Service Department
7475 N. Glen Harbor Blvd.
Glendale, AZ 85307
1-800-326-6247
www.conair.com
Age Females Males
18-39 21-32% 8-19%
40-59 23-33% 11-21%
60-79 24-35% 13-24%
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