FAQ
Dr. Jet Khasriya, bone and mineral biology specialist and general practitioner for doctor-on-demand app GPDQ, shares her advice on how smart scales work.
How does a smart bathroom scale work?
“It uses a small, non-harmful electrical impulse to measure impedance in different tissue types. If you step on a scale with your skin exposed, it can give you a rough estimate of your body composition.”
Are bathroom scales accurate?
“The best way to measure body fat or bone density is to use old fashioned calipers or more modern methods such as DEXA scanning. However, these are quite difficult to learn and not readily available to the average consumer. While it is true that, with the more widely available health scale technology, the exact initial reading you get is not entirely accurate, the technology’s ability to log your readings allows you to see change over time, which in itself is a very reliable measure.
What are the best bathroom scales out there?
“I’ve personally tried the Withings Body analyzer scale. I found them useful for their WiFi capabilities and iOS integration, which allowed me to record my stats just by stepping on them each morning. They have helped me control my fluid intake and tell me if my efforts in the gym are paying off.”
What else should you think about?
“Size matters: make sure the scale you ultimately choose is big and sturdy enough for you. No one wants a scale to break after one use.
“Another factor to consider when looking for the best scales is their resistance to moisture. Most people keep their scales in the bathroom and it can get quite steamy in there. Shop around for scales that won’t break when they come coming into contact with a little extra heat and moisture. In reality, this probably means you should avoid cheap basement options.
“Meanwhile, if you have carpeting or uneven floors, you may want to opt for a scale with attachable carpet feet for accuracy.”
Smart body monitors and your diet
According to Dr. Daniel Wright, private physician for GPDQ The UK’s first doctor-on-demand app, smart scales can be very sensitive to how much fluid is in your body. You may want to factor in your menstrual cycle and caffeine and alcohol intake. However, this is difficult to be precise given your daily variation in diet and external environmental factors.
“Studies comparing these machines to traditional methods showed relatively poor accuracy on body composition, mainly for the above reasons. They give you a general idea of any long-term changes in your body composition. first place, and can be good for tracking changes with a diet and exercise program.”