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Although the technology is improving, it's hard to get an accurate body fat measurement from most available commercial body fat analyzers.

Various types of body fat analyzers — also called impedance meters — are available to the general public. Results from portable body fat analyzers can vary, though. Your body fat measurement can depend on many factors such as the device's quality and how hydrated you are when you have the measurement.

If you're concerned about your body fat percentage, you may want to skip the commercially available body fat analyzers. Ask your doctor about the use of more-accurate measurement techniques.

Depending on the circumstances, options may include:

Body fat can also be estimated using cross-sectional imaging methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and computerized tomography (CT).

These scans can provide the most precise body composition measurements, especially for intra-abdominal fat measurement. But they're expensive and aren't usually used only for measuring body fat. Imaging tests such as ultrasound may also be used to measure body composition.

Researchers continue to study other methods to assess body fat.

Depending on the information desired, you and your doctor can determine the most appropriate type of body fat measurement. Keep in mind that specific body fat measurement techniques can be expensive and may not be available in all locations.

Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.

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