Body Fat Percentage (BIA)
Your Body Fat Percentage is simply the percentage of fat your body contains. It compares your body fat to your lean body mass, which is made up of bone, muscle and organ tissue. A certain amount of body fat is essential to bodily functions. Fat regulates body temperature, cushions and insulates organs and tissues and is the main source of the body's energy.
BIA is short for "Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis." A device sends a very low current through your body. As Body Fat is a very bad conductor of electricity, the device is able to estimate the amount of Body Fat based on the amount of electrical "impedance".
The various methods of measuring body fat give you an estimate, not an exact percentage of body fat. They are an indicator. This is because hydration levels, body type, and other factors have a bearing on your result. Ideally you want to have the test done each occasion at a similar time of day, using the same method of measurement, to ensure that you're getting the most consistent measurements possible.
