Body Fat Scales Using Elec. Impedence - Good/Bad/Accurate?

[Early Riser]

According to what I have read, body fat measurements using skin fold calipers are not that accurate.

I read alot about a body fat scale manuf. by Tanita, which sends an low power elec. signal up one leg, sent down the other leg and received by a sensor. Since fat is resistive to electrical current, the device determines body fat by time/power of the received pulse? Something like that.

Anyway, what is everyone's opinion on these type of scales. The family model I was looking at calc. body fat to about .1%.

What do you think?

 

[Belial]

Crap. Complete crap.

 

[Early Riser]

Have you ever tried one? Seems to me that its based at least on some sort of science principle, whereas calipers could be quite inaccurate depending upon who/where takes the measurements.

 

[Belial]

Yes, I've tried one. But they only measure lower body fat (more or less), are extremely sensitive to different levels of hydration, tend to not work for the very lean or muscular, etc. etc. etc.