Understanding Body Composition
Tanita Body Composition Analysis
If you are coming into clinic for you appointment, you have the option of having your measurements taken on our Tanita Body Composition Analysis machine. More than your average scale, this machine can estimate what portion of your body mass is composed of lean tissues (which include muscles, organs and bones) versus water and body fat.
Insights into your body composition can help you and your weight management specialists monitor your progress, ensure you are preserving lean body mass while working on your weight management goals.
The machine requires you to step on in bare feet so don’t be surprized when the staff ask you to remove your shoes and socks. They will enter some information about you, including your age and height, and ask you to step on the scale.
A print out of your results is generated from the machine. Your dietitian or doctor can help you interpret your results and compare your data to previous measures taken at the clinic. To help you understand the analysis print out we have created a downloadable resource - click the button below to access the body composition reference sheet.
Some of the feedback you will find on your analysis:
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
BMR is an estimate of how much energy (Calories) you burn each day at rest. This number does not include the energy required for daily physical activity. Your BMR is estimated to be 70-80% of the total energy you need to maintain your weight in a 24 hr period.
Fat % & Fat Mass
These values reflect an estimate of the portion of your total mass (weight) that is fat tissue. The data is provided both as a percentage and in pounds (lb).
Fat Free Mass (FFM)
This value reflects the estimated portion of your total weight composed of the combination of muscle, water, bone, connective tissue, organs etc. Everything except the fat, also called adipose, tissues of the body.
Total Body Water (TBW)
This value reflects the estimated portion of your total weight composed water only. This is the largest portion of your FFM.
You are not defined by the scale
Your weight is not a measure of your worth; you and your health are not defined by the number on the scale.
We offer the opportunity to measure weight and body composition as one part of monitoring progress in your weight management treatment plan. There are many successes that can not be measured by the scale. We are here to support your best weight journey regardless of the number on the scale.