Tanita TBF-521 User Manual

TBF-521BODYFAT

MONITOR/SCAL E

Instruction Manual

Read this Instruction Manual carefully
and keep it for future reference.

TBF-521 Body Fat Monitor/Scale

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Safety Precautions

Important Notes for Users

Principles of Estimating

Body Fat Percentage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

What is Body Fat Percentage?
Body Fat Range
The BIA Method
Body Fat Percentage Fluctuations in a Day
Advantages of the Tanita TBF-521

Package Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Features and Functions
Measuring Platform
Display Unit
Accessories

Useful Features of the TBF-521 . . . . . . 4

Switching the Weight Mode (lb, kg, st-lb)

Preparations Before Use . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Inserting the Batteries
Positioning the Monitor
Attaching the Support Feet

Installing the Display Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Handling Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Operating the TBF-521 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Getting Accurate Readings . . . . . . . . . .7

Replacing the Batteries

T roubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Federal Communications Commission Notice

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio or television technician for help.

Modifications

The FCC requires the user to be notified that any changes or modifications made to this
device that are not expressly approved by Tanita Corporation may void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.

Introduction

Thank you for selecting the Tanita Body Fat Monitor/Scale TBF-521.
This product uses the BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) technique,
a state-of-the-art technology for body fat assessment.

Safety Precautions

• Persons with implanted medical equipment, such as a pacemaker, should not use the

TBF-521. This Body Fat Monitor/Scale passes a low-level electrical signal through the
body, which may interfere with the operation of a pacemaker.

• The Tanita Body Fat Monitor/Scale TBF-521 is intended for home use only. This unit is not
intended for professional use in hospitals or other medical facilities; it is not equipped with
the quality standards required for heavy usage experienced under professional conditions.

• Do not use this unit on slippery surfaces such as wet floors.

• Disabled people should be assisted by someone else, or use a handrail when using
the TBF-521.

Note: Body fat percentage estimates will vary with the amount of moisture in the body, and can be affected
by dehydration or overhydration due to such factors as alcohol consumption, menstruation, illness, intense
exercise, etc.

Important Notes for Users

The TBF-521 is intended for use by adults and children with moderately active to inactive
lifestyles and by adults with athletic body types.

Tanita defines “athlete” as a person involved in intense physical activity of at least 10 hours
per week and who has a resting heart rate of approximately 60 beats per minute or less.
Tanita’s athlete definition includes “lifetime of fitness” individuals who have been fit for
years but currently exercise less than 10 hours per week.

Tanita’s athlete definition does not include “enthusiastic beginners” who are making a real
commitment to exercising at least 10 hours per week but whose bodies have not yet changed
to require the Athlete mode.

Body fat percentage estimates may be slightly lower or higher for the following categories
of people:

• Adults seventy years old or older

• Persons undergoing dialysis

• Persons suffering from edema

Body fat percentage estimates for these persons should not be treated as absolute values, but
may be used as relative values for checking body fat percent variations over a period of time.

The TBF-521 is not intended for pregnant women, professional athletes or bodybuilders.

Recommendations for exercise programs or diets based on calculated data should be
determined by a doctor or licensed medical professional. Do not attempt to evaluate the data
by yourself.

Tanita takes no responsibility for any kind of damage or loss caused by these units, or any
kind of claim made by a third person.

1

TBF-521 Body Fat Monitor/Scale

Principles of Estimating Body Fat Percentage

The Tanita Body Fat Monitor/Scale TBF-521 allows you to estimate your
body fat percentage at home as easily as you measure your weight.

What is Body Fat Percentage?

Body fat percentage is the percentage of fat in your body. Until now, your absolute weight
has determined whether or not you were considered overweight or obese. In recent years,
the definition of obesity has been refined to mean the presence of excess body fat. Too much
body fat has been linked to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes,
cancer, and other disabling conditions.

The BIA Method

The TBF-521 uses the BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) technique. In this method,
a safe low-level electrical signal is passed through the body. It is difficult for the signal to
flow through fat in the human body, but easy to flow through moisture in the muscle and
other body tissues. The difficulty with which a signal flows through a substance is called
impedance. So the amount of fat in the body can be accurately estimated by measuring
the impedance. The signal used is very low, making it safe and imperceptible.

The illustration on the left shows how the signal travels through the body.

Body Fat Percentage Fluctuations in a Day

Hydration levels in the body may affect body fat readings. Readings are usually highest in the
early waking hours, since the body tends to be dehydrated after a long night’s sleep. For the
most accurate reading, a person should take a body fat percentage reading at a consistent
time of day under consistent conditions.

Besides this basic cycle of fluctuations in the daily body fat readings, variations may be
caused by hydration changes in the body due to eating, drinking, menstruation, illness,
exercising, and bathing. Daily body fat readings are unique to each person, and depend upon
one’s lifestyle, job and activities.

Advantages of the Tanita TBF-521

Previously, body fat percentage was determined by measuring the thickness of subcutaneous
fat by pinching it with calipers, or by laying a person on a scanning bed and passing a current
from hand to foot. However, these methods present problems—professional skills are
required, the procedures take time and are often invasive, and measurement values vary.
Currently, the gold standard methods of fat percentage measurement are DEXA (dual energy
x-ray absorptiometry) and Hydrodensitometry (underwater weighing).

Tanita’s BIA method uses equations derived from large, multi-ethnic population studies to
predict body composition. Readings taken with Tanita’s TBF-521 correlate highly with both
DEXA (Tanita’s reference model) and Hydrodensitometry.

2

Tanita’s patented “foot-pad” design sends a safe,

low-level electrical signal through the body to

determine its composition.

6 am

22
21
20
19
18
17

10 am 2 pm 6 pm 10 pm Time

Body Fat %

Daily fluctuations in body fat percentage based on

the BIA technique.

1, 2

Healthy Overfat ObeseUnderfat

Female

Age

Male

Age

Body Fat Ranges for Standard Adults

20–39
40–59
60–79

10%0% 20% 30% 40%

20–39
40–59
60–79

1

Based on NIH/WHO BMI Guidelines.

2

As reported by Gallagher, et al., at NY Obesity Research Center.
To determine the percentage of body fat that is appropriate for your body, consult your physician.

Healthy Overfat ObeseUnderfat