Choosing a bioimpedance scale: a guide for nutrition professionals

Bioimpedance is a valuable tool in assessing body composition and monitoring the nutritional status of clients. Among the different approaches available, bioimpedance scales stand out for their practicality, ease of use, and low cost compared to other more invasive methods. However, the choice of the most appropriate bioimpedance scale is crucial to ensure accurate and reliable results.

In this article we explore the main criteria to be considered when selecting an appropriate bioimpedance scale. We will cover technical aspects, features, values, and other relevant factors that may influence the choice and interpretation of results. Read on to find out.

What types of bioimpedance scales are available on the market?

InBody270

The InBody270 is a bioimpedence scale that requires the client to stand still on it. First the scale measures the client's weight, and then the client has to hold the handles for the body composition to be evaluated.

The specific software developed to work with the InBody270 scale serves to collect, process, and interpret the data captured by the scale. It allows both the nutrition professional and the client to view and analyze their body composition measurements in a more detailed and understandable way. It is also useful for follow-up over time, since the software can store the results of previous measurements, allowing for comparison and monitoring of each client's process. 

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Pros:

• Measures and evaluates each segment/frequency:
  • Weight;
  • Total body water;
  • Lean mass;
  • Fat mass;
  • Skeletal muscle mass;
  • Body mass index;
  • Body fat percentage;
  • Segmental fat mass analysis;
  • Segmental lean mass analysis;
  • Body composition history;
  • Muscle fat control;
  • Basal metabolic rate;
  • Waist-to-hip ratio;
  • Recommended Muscle Mass and Fat Mass.
• Tetrapolar electrode system with 8- electrodes
• It has English and Portuguese languages
• Voice guided procedure.
• Color touch screen.
• Takes measurements in 15 seconds.
• Cloud-based Software.
• It is compatible with Lookin'Body 120® and Lookin'Body Web®, and the results can be exported in PDF format.
• It is possible to have results for both adults and children.
• It has connectivity via USB, WiFi, and Bluetooth.

Cons:

• It is heavy and difficult to carry, weighing about 21kg (~46lbs).
  The software is only available for Windows.

InBody120

The InBody120 bioimpedence scale requires the client to stand still on it. First the scale measures the client’s weight, and then the client has to hold the handles for the body composition to be evaluated. 

The specific software developed to work with the InBody120 scale is similar to that of the InBody270 scale, and it also serves to collect, process, and interpret the data measured by the scale. However, the InBody270 scale software provides more detailed analysis, more comprehensive reports, and additional features such as body composition segmentation by specific body parts, fat distribution analysis, and body asymmetry. Whereas the InBody120 software may have more limited features and capabilities.

It also allows both the professional and the client to compare and monitor the evolution of the collected data.

Pros:

• Measures and evaluates each segment/frequency:
  • Weight;
  • Total body weight;
  • Lean mass;
  • Fat mass;
  • Skeletal muscle mass;
  • Body Mass Index;
  • Body fat percentage;
  • Segmental analysis of fat mass;
  • Segmental analysis of lean mass;
  • Body composition history;
  • Muscle fat control;
  • InBody Score;
  • Visceral fat;
  • Metabolic basal rate.
• Tetrapolar electrode system with 8- electrodes.
• Takes measurements in 17 seconds.
• It is compatible with Lookin' Body ® software and the results can be exported in PDF format.. 
• It has English and Portuguese languages.
• Software compatible with Mac and Windows.

Cons:

• The weight without the stand is 4.3 kg and with the stand is 5.7 kg (~9lbs and ~12lbs, respectively).

InBodyH20N

The InBodyH20N is a bioimpedance scale that requires the client to stand still on it. First the scale measures the client’s weight, and then the client has to hold the extendable handles for the body composition to be assessed. This is the smallest InBody scale.

When it comes to software, compared to the other InBodys, the InBody270 software offers more advanced analysis and additional features, while the InBody120 software is more limited in terms of functionality. The InBodyH20N software, on the other hand, combines advanced analytics with tracking features via a mobile app to offer a more complete body composition analysis experience.

Pros:

• Measures:
  • Weight;
  • Muscle mass;
  • Fat mass;
  • Fat mass percentage;
  • Body mass index;
  • Metabolic basal rate.
• Tetrapolar electrode system with 4- electrodes.
• It is possible to connect the scale to a mobile app.
• Several InBody accounts can be linked to the same bioimpedance scale H20N.
• It is available in English and Portuguese.
• It is easy to transport due to its light weight (2.7kg or ~5lbs).

Cons:

• You cannot connect the scale to professional software, only to the app.
• The mobile app does not synchronize with the computer.
• Does not measure body water.
• Must be purchased in the United States, so there’s also the need to pay the shipping costs associated with the purchase.

Tanita BC-545N

The Tanita BC-545N is a bioimpedance scale that requires the client to stand still on it. Fiirst the scale measures the client’s weight and then, the client has to hold the extendable handles so that the body composition is evaluated. 

Pros:

• Measures:
  • Bone mass;
  • Muscle mass;
  • Fat mass;
  • Percentage of fat mass;
  • Segmental analysis of fat mass;
  • Basal metabolic rate;
  • Metabolic age;
  • Visceral fat;
  • Body water;
  • Body mass index.
• Tetrapolar electrode system with 4- electrodes
• Takes measurements in 15 seconds.
• It is easy to carry due to its light weight (3.4kg/~7lbs).

Cons:

• It does not have the Portuguese language.
• It has no mobile app that can be linked.
• Cannot connect to a computer.

Tanita BC-601

The Tanita BC-601 is a bioimpedance scale that requires the client to stand still. 

Pros:

• Measures:
  • Bone mass;
  • Muscle mass;
  • Fat mass;
  • Segmental analysis of fat mass;
  • Metabolic age;
  • Visceral fat;
  • Body water;
  • Percentage of fat mass;
  • Recommended body fat percentage for adults;
  • Recommended body fat percentage for children;
  • Basal metabolic rate;
  • Recommended caloric intake;
  • Body mass index.
• Tetrapolar electrode system with 8-electrodes
• It has athlete mode: the different modes adapt the resulting values to the physiognomy of the user.
• It has guest mode: allows measurements to be taken without them being recorded on the scale's memory.
• Takes measurements in 15 seconds.
• Provides a very accurate estimate of the client’s daily calorie intake.
• It has an SD card that stores the data of all measurements and can be read on the computer in Excel ®.
• It is easy to carry because of its light weight (3.4kg/~7lbs).

Cons:

• It does not have any mobile app that can be associated with it.
• It does not have a software, so it is necessary to insert the SD card into the computer.

Ebiody xpertZM

This bioimpedance device requires the client to weigh themselves beforehand; the measurement is made with the client sitting down and with the device on the ankle. 

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Pros:

• Measures and evaluates each segment/frequency:
  • Basal metabolic rate;
  • Energy expenditure;
  • Fat mass;
  • Skeletal muscle mass;
  • Total body water;
  • Bone mass;
  • Segmental analysis of fat mass;
  • Segmental lean mass analysis;
  • Water balance;
  • Bone mineral content;
  • Metabolic risks;
  • Cardiovascular risks.
• Fast measurement process (about 10 seconds).
• Light and easy to carry.
• It has a mobile app that can be installed on the cell phone, tablet, or computer.
• A report is created and can be exported as a PDF or the client can access the results on the mobile app. 
• Several people can access the same account.
• It is possible to know if the measurement was not done correctly due to some error.

Cons:

• Weight and height have to be measured separately and entered into the client’s profile.
• The level of physical activity, gender, height, and date of birth also have to be entered manually.
• You must have your Bluetooth connected at all times.
• It doesn't have the Portuguese language.
• People cannot measure themselves (practice is needed).

Main features of each bioimpedance scale

Here you can see a summary table about the main features of each scale:

	InBody 270	InBody 120	InBody H20N	Tanita BC-545N	Tanita BC-601	Ebiody xpertZM
Usage	Professional	Professional	Domestic	Domestic	Professional	Professional
Weight	28 kg	4,3 - 5,7 kg	2,7 kg	3,4 kg	3,4 kg	>300g
Software	Windows	Mac and Windows	Mac and Windows	Windows	Windows	Mac and Windows
Mobile app	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅
Measuring time	15 seconds	17 seconds	-	15 seconds	15 seconds	10 seconds
Portuguese language	✅	✅	✅	-	❌	❌
Wifi and bluetooth	Wifi and bluetooth	Bluetooth	Bluetooth	None	None	Bluetooth
Body weight	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Total body fat	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Total muscle mass	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Bone mass	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Total body water	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅
Body Mass Index (BMI)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Metabolic Age	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅
Visceral fat proportion	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅
Segmented body composition analysis (arms, legs, torso)	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅
Waist-hip ratio	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌

Summary

The proper selection of the bioimpedance scale is essential to obtain accurate information about the body composition of individuals. This data is essential for a complete and individualized nutritional diagnosis, and helps in the development of intervention plans and progress monitoring.

By understanding the essential criteria in choosing a bioimpedance scale and using this tool correctly, nutrition professionals can improve the quality of their assessments, enhance nutritional therapy, and more accurately monitor changes in their clients’ body composition.

 

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