subject: The Effectiveness of Body Weight Scales [print this page] The Effectiveness of Body Weight Scales The Effectiveness of Body Weight Scales
BMI basically just stands for body mass index. This is normally a basic measuring of a person's body composition, and this is calculated by figuring out the weight and height of a person, and determining where that person sits on a pre-computed scale. A BMI or body weight scale is a scale which categorizes the composition of a person's body into a few different categories. These consist of obese, normal weight, overweight, and underweight. These types of scales are extremely accurate for most of the general population, and sometimes inaccurate for body types like bodybuilders and athletes. These types of scales are very cost effective. This means that they are used to calculate the composition of a person's body, and they are used by personal trainers, physicians, dieticians, and also large organizations.
The only main components needed for this scale are a tool that measures height, and a scale. It is safe to say a body weight scale is an extremely simple device. Mainly because of the fact these scales just measure weight and height they are very un-intrusive instruments. Things like a skin fold type of test actually require the practitioner having to pinch the person's body up to a maximum of thirteen different spots. When compared to a BMI scales this type of measuring can be incredibly embarrassing for some people. There are actually other measurement methods involving a person submerged in water for a period of time until a practitioner is able to read the measurement. One of the main reasons these BMI scales are so convenient is because of the fact that basically anybody can measure BMI. The only information required is the weight and the height of a person. The actual equation used is taking the person's height in inches and dividing it by the person's weight in pounds, and then squared and multiplied by 703.
This equation proves that the scale really makes no difference in fluctuation in race, age, or gender. Another reason these BMI scales are so popular with so many different organization is simply because they are quick and easy. Using a BMI scale has proven to be the most efficient, and effective way for someone to get an extremely accurate measurement allowing for the tracking in the changes of people's body composition of long periods of time. What is known as the CDC has actually been keeping tabs on the obesity levels in America for some time now. They use a body weight scale to effectively chart this information. This is the only logical way to conduct such activities because of the fact that any other method would just take too long. BMI calculating only takes about one or two minutes and thus is the reason why it is the absolute preferred method that is used by the CDC. It also happens to be the most preferred method put in place by many other organizations as well in an effort to track the composition of people's body.
