Oregon ScientificTM High Precision Body Weight Monitor with Body Fat Index Model: GA101 User Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................................................................. 2 Warnings ..................................................................................................................... 2 Key Features ............................................................................................................... 4 How the Body Weight Monitor Works ....................................................................... 4 Brief Description ........................................................................................................ 4 Body Mass Index ....................................................................................................... 5 What is Body Mass Index (BMI)? ........................................................................... 5 How to Interpret BMI .............................................................................................. 5 Body Fat Index .......................................................................................................... 6 What is Body Fat Index? ........................................................................................ 6 How Body Fat is Measured .................................................................................... 6 How to Interpret Body Fat Index ............................................................................ 6 How to Interpret Body Fat Level Indicator .............................................................. 7 How Body Fat Percentage Fluctuates ................................................................... 7 Safety and Care Instructions ..................................................................................... 8 Getting Started ............................................................................................................ 9 Unpacking the Body Weight Monitor ......................................................................... 9 Selecting a Location for the Body Weight Monitor .................................................... 9 Setting up for the First Time ...................................................................................... 9 Setting the Height and Age for a User ....................................................................... 10 Taking Measurements ................................................................................................ 11 Taking Measurements with Stored User Settings ..................................................... 11 Taking Measurements as a Guest User .................................................................... 12 Taking Weight-Only Measurements .......................................................................... 12 Resetting ..................................................................................................................... 13 Replacing the Batteries .............................................................................................. 13 Addendum ................................................................................................................... 13 Weight Unit Conversion ............................................................................................. 13 Troubleshooting Guide .............................................................................................. 14 Specifications ............................................................................................................. 15 Additional Resources ................................................................................................. 15 1 GB GB INTRODUCTION Thank you for selecting the Oregon ScientificTM Body Weight Monitor as your healthcare product of choice. Your Body Weight Monitor is designed to give you many years of reliable service. Some of its features include: · Automatic calculation of body mass index (BMI) and body fat index. · User selectable weight measurement in kilograms, pounds, or stone pounds. · Patented step-on technology that automatically turns on the Monitor whenever you step onto it. · Storage of height and age information for four different users (guest mode available). This manual contains important safety and care information, and provides step-by-step instructions for using this product. Read the manual thoroughly, and keep it in a safe place in case you need to later refer to it. WARNINGS This product has been engineered and manufactured to the highest safety standards. The product is designed to provide you with many years of reliable service, provided that it is properly used and cared for. To ensure your safety and prolong the life of the product, please observe the following precautions. ABOUT THE DEVICE ! WARNING: It is not recommended for persons with implanted medical equipment such as pacemakers or pregnant women to use the Monitor. · The Monitor is intended for home use only, not for hospital diagnosis purposes. · The BMI and Body Fat Index measurements done with the Monitor should only be treated as an approximate indication of your health level. Consult with your physician for a full and thorough evaluation. · Body Fat Index and Body Mass Index measurements are less accurate for professional athletes, bodybuilders, children, teenagers, and persons over the age of 65 due to the difference in their body compositions. However, this device can still help individuals in the groups above to track their body fat trends over time. GENERAL WARNINGS · Read and observe all warnings and instructions ­ This user manual contains important warnings and instructions that, if properly followed, will help to ensure you use the product safely. Use the manual as you set up and begin to use the Body Weight Monitor, then keep it in a safe place for future reference. Note that the contents of this user manual are subject to change without further notice. Figures and display examples are for reference only, and may slightly differ from the actual product. · Batteries ­ Reversing the battery polarity may damage the product. Different types of batteries have different characteristics and should not be mixed. Do not pair old and new batteries together ­ this can shorten the life of new batteries and cause old batteries to leak harmful chemicals that can corrode the battery compartment and cause a rash on your skin. If the batteries leak, wipe the battery compartment with a clean cloth and wash your hands 2 with warm soapy water after handling. Remove the batteries if the Body Weight Monitor will be in storage for an extended period of time. · Liquids, moisture, and foreign objects ­ Never insert foreign objects in or spill liquids on the product, as this can cause electric shock and damage to the unit. Do not immerse this product in water. OTHER NOTICES Disposing of this Product When disposing of this product, do so in accordance with your local waste disposal regulations. Statement of Responsibility Oregon Scientific assumes no responsibility for any incidental losses (such as the costs of recording or the loss of income from recording) incurred as a result of faults with this product. Oregon Scientific will not be held liable for any bodily injury, death, property damages or any other claims of whatever nature resulting from the misuse or negligence of this product, whether intentional or unintentional. Furthermore, Oregon Scientific will not be responsible for any deviations in the usage of the device from those specified in the user instructions or any unapproved alterations or repairs of the product. 3 GB GB KEY FEATURES Front view LCD Display Back view - Button + Button Set button Metal Foot pads Reset button Scale Platform Carrying Handle User Setting Switches Battery Compartment LCD display symbols HOW THE BODY WEIGHT MONITOR WORKS BRIEF DESCRIPTION When you step on the Monitor, a weight measurement is taken. The Monitor can also help you to automatically calculate your Body mass index (BMI) and Body Fat Index, two internationally accepted indicators of health and obesity levels. Weight alone is not a good enough indicator of health because it does not differentiate between muscles, tissues, bones, and fat. As such, when a person loses weight, it may be a result of the loss of muscles or body water but not fat. In order to better understand your body composition and current health level, both the BMI and Body Fat Index should be observed. Neither the BMI nor the Body Fat Index, taken individually, gives the complete picture of your health. For example, bodybuilders often have high BMI (considered obese) but low Body Fat Index (considered healthy). The BMI, in this case, does not take into account that the extra weight is from muscles and water but not fat. Conversely, a very thin person may have low Body Fat Index (considered healthy) but also lower-than-accepted BMI (considered unhealthy). This means that the person is still at risk health-wise, despite the low Body Fat Index. NOTE Consult your physician before you begin a new diet or exercise program. 4 BODY MASS INDEX What is Body Mass Index (BMI)? Body mass index (BMI) is a widely used international standard that measures weight to height ratio to determine obesity. BMI is expressed by the following terms: BMI = Body weight (kg) [Body height (m)]2 The BMI is only a general indicator of your health level. As such, accuracies may vary depending on your body type and composition. Consult your physician to find out more about your current health. NOTE To convert pounds or stone pounds to kilograms, and inches to meters, refer to the conversion reference on page 13. How to Interpret BMI Use the resulting BMI value with the chart below to determine your current level of health: NOTE Asians have a separate BMI range due to their different body composition. Health Indication Underweight BMI Range Less than 20.0* * Asian BMI: Less than 18.5 Recommended 20.0 ­ 25.0* * Asian BMI: 18.5 ­ 23.0 Description Your body weight is currently lower than average. Work toward healthy, regular food intake and exercise routine to build up your health to recommended levels. Your health is at the recommended level. Maintain a balanced diet and exercise to keep your current level of health. Your body weight may be above normal. Increase your exercise and work out a diet plan to lower your risk for serious illness. At this level, you may be at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and other illnesses. Consult with your doctor to develop a proper health and fitness plan. Overweight 25.1 ­ 29.9* * Asian BMI: 23.0 ­ 29.9 Obese 30.0 or greater* * Asian BMI: 30.0 or greater NOTE BMI should not be used as a guideline for health risks for the following groups: Group Children and teenagers Athletes and bodybuilders Pregnant or nursing women People over the age of 65 Reason BMI ranges are only based on adult heights. BMI does not differentiate between fat and muscle, thus making it inaccurate for persons with high muscle volumes. This group generates naturally high fat reserves as part of the pregnancy. Fat reserves naturally tend to be higher with older persons. 5 GB GB References: 1. Jequier, E. (1987) Energy, obesity, and body weight standards. 2. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 45, 1035-1047 3. Japan Society for the Study of Obesity 4. The Weight Loss Research Center 5. myDr. (www.mydr.com.au) BODY FAT INDEX What is Body Fat Index? Body Fat Index is a measurement of the total percentage of fat in your body. For example, if you weigh 70 kg and your Body Fat Index is 15%, then you are retaining 10.5 kg of fat. The remaining weight is composed of muscles, bones, tissues, and body water. Among overweight people, it is excess fat and not weight alone that carries health risks. Since the body comprises elements of varying densities, weight or BMI cannot fully measure exactly how much excess fat a person carries. For example, two people of the same weight and BMI may have big differences in body composition. One may carry excess fat while the other carry acceptable level of fat needed to regulate the body. As such, a Body Fat Index measurement is an effective assessment of your current health level. NOTE Essential fat is necessary for bodily functions, since it helps to maintain body temperature an insulate organs and tissues. How Body Fat is Measured The Monitor uses the method of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to measure body fat. This method gives high precision, is completely safe, and is widely used in the medical field. The principle of BIA is as follows: The Monitor sends a low, harmless electrical signal through your body that flows freely. As such, the machine uses this to calculate the body fat Index (along with the person's age, gender, height, weight, and build). How to Interpr ...