August 13, 2019

Do BMI Scales Work?

Weighing in: the accuracy of body fat scales

adult stepping on a BMI scale

When it comes to managing your weight at home, options for digital scales are seemingly endless. But can scales that reportedly measure things like body mass index and body fat percentage be helpful?

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Several studies have looked at different digital body fat scales and how they stack up compared to the types of devices that are used in clinical research.

Leslie Heinberg, PhD, Director of Enterprise Weight Management at Cleveland Clinic, says research has found that most of these scales are fairly inaccurate and tend to overestimate body fat percent. Plus the extra bells and whistles on these products can produce distressing results.

“One of the biggest concerns in using these scales is getting the wrong information and it causing unnecessary stress,” says Dr. Heinberg.

Advertisement
The readings might be so discouraging, that they could cause a person to give up or engage in extreme or unhealthy diets.

Data can still be helpful

Getting feedback on weight and body fat percentage can be helpful, however, numbers aren’t always the best measure of healthy behavior.

“Body fat percentage data can be helpful at the beginning of a weight loss journey,” says Dr. Heinberg “But it’s best not to get caught up in trying to measure every day fluctuations.”

Percent body fat is a great thing to keep track of before you initiate a diet or exercise program and checking on it from time to time can be beneficial. But checking it every day or every few days is not going to help your mental health.

Advertisement

If you really want an accurate assessment then make an appointment with your doctor. There are clinical ways that can measure more accurately than what you can do at home.

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Doctor shaking hands with patient, with large heart and EKG line behind them
February 19, 2024
How Weight Affects Your Heart

Having underweight, having overweight and having obesity can be dangerous for your heart

A colorful meter made to represent body mass index.
January 5, 2022
Is BMI an Accurate Measure of Health?

Plus, 4 factors that can make BMI misleading

man checking his weight by looking in the mirror BMI
October 28, 2021
BMI for Men: Does the Math Work?

When — and when not — to trust BMI calculators

woman looking at image in mirror
October 24, 2021
BMI for Women: How It Works and What It Reveals About Your Health

From your ideal BMI to when to take it with a grain of salt

BMI health inequites
July 6, 2021
How BMI Could Cause More Health Inequities for People of Color

According to the latest research, one size truly doesn’t fit all

Three friends of different body types taking a selfy
March 27, 2019
What’s a Healthy BMI?

The short answer from a family medicine physician

Spoonful of apple cider vinegar
March 27, 2024
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help You Lose Weight?

The science on ACV isn’t very promising for weight loss or appetite suppression

Female struggling to push a large rock up a hill
March 21, 2024
Why It Really Is Harder for Women To Lose Weight (and What To Do About It)

Genetics, metabolism and hormonal fluctuations can all make weight loss more difficult

Trending Topics

Person in yellow tshirt and blue jeans relaxing on green couch in living room reading texts on their phone.
Here’s How Many Calories You Naturally Burn in a Day

Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity

person getting a sinus massage between brows
5 Sinus Massage Techniques To Relieve Pressure and Promote Drainage

A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses

woman snacking on raisins and nuts
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Ad