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Useful Information
EN
What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?
BMI uses the following simple formula to indicate the ratio between weight and height of a person.
BMI = weight (kg) / height (m) / height (m)
The OMRON BF510 uses the height information stored in your personal profile number or when entering
information in the Guest Mode to calculate your BMI classification.
If the fat level revealed by BMI is higher than the international standard, there is an increased likelihood of common
diseases. However, not all types of fat can be revealed by BMI.
What is Body Fat Percentage?
Body fat percentage refers to the amount of body fat mass in regards to the total body weight expressed as a
percentage.
Body fat percentage (%) = {Body fat mass (kg) / Body weight (kg)} × 100
Our device uses BI method to estimate your body fat percentage.
Depending on where fat is distributed in the body, it is classified as visceral fat or subcutaneous fat.
What is Visceral Fat Level?
Visceral fat = fat surrounding internal organs
Too much visceral fat is thought to be closely linked to increased levels of fat in the
bloodstream, which can lead to common diseases such as hyperlipidemia and diabetes,
which impairs the ability of insulin to transfer energy from the bloodstream and using it in
cells. In order to prevent or improve conditions of common diseases, it is important to try
and reduce visceral fat levels to an acceptable level. People with high visceral fat levels
tend to have large stomachs. However, this is not always the case and high visceral fat
levels can lead to metabolically obese. Metabolically obese (visceral obesity with normal
weight) represents fat levels that are higher than average, even if a person’s weight is at
or below the standard for their height.
What is Subcutaneous Fat?
Subcutaneous fat = fat below the skin
Subcutaneous fat not only accumulates around the stomach but also around the upper
arms, hips and thighs, and can cause a distortion of the body's proportions. Although not
directly linked to increased risk of disease, it is thought to increase pressure on the heart
and other complications. Subcutaneous fat is not displayed in this unit, but is included in
the body fat percentage.
What is Skeletal Muscle?
Muscle is divided into two types, muscle in internal organs, such as the heart, and skeletal muscle attached to
bones that is used to move the body. Skeletal muscle can be increased through exercise and other activity.
Increasing the ratio of skeletal muscle means that body can burn energy more easily, which means that it is less
likely to turn to fat, and makes it easier to lead an energetic lifestyle.
The reason calculated results may differ from actual body fat percentage
The body fat percentage measured by this unit may significantly differ from the actual body fat percentage in
the following situations:
Elderly people / People with a fever / Body builders or highly trained athletes / Patients undergoing dialysis /
Patients with osteoporosis who have very low bone density / Pregnant women / People with swelling
These differences may be related to changing ratios of body fluid and/or body composition.
Sample Visceral Fat
(MRI image)
Sample Subcutaneous
Fat (MRI image)
HBF-510-main.book Page 3 Tuesday, October 14, 2008 10:35 AM