Is it worth buying a 'Fat Scale'?

If it makes you happy then yes. Its upto individuals. Well done and good luck. Xx

I bought these scales l can't fathom out how to work them.

Rowantree sounds brilliant and answers my point perfectly. We all see and do things differently but that doesn't mean that I don't take responsibility for my health. What do you think you will do about the scales?

I don`t need fat scales to inform me of the obvious

The point is that it isn’t always obvious, Timetogo. You can look as though you’re not overweight, have a ‘normal‘ BMI but still have a high proportion of fat in your body.

Whether that actually matters in itself I don’t know, but if it means that you have a low muscle mass it would concern me.

I don`t need fat scales to inform me of the obvious.
Don`t waste your money.

As a 5'2" apple, currently normal weight, I know well the problem of visceral fat as that's where people like me store the excess!

As anyone who has a weight problem knows it's impossible, as far as I know, to lose weight from your particular problem areas, and not affect other areas. For example, I've recently lost my Lockdown 5lbs, but I fear it's gone from my face and breasts, rather than my abdomen.

The cups of my bra are loose - not a good look, and my waistband is just as tight!

From what I've read of the medical literature it's not possible to target and succeed with specific areas - I wish it were.

Rowantree that sounds as though you’re doing brilliantly. I love Pilates. After lockdown started I was feeling very low & listless. Our Pilates teacher started an online class and doing the class each week, plus some during the week in my own, has made such a difference to how I feel.
Yes visceral fat is a concern. I remember Michael Mosley talking about it in his programmes.
I’ve thought about getting those scales in the past but not bothered - perhaps now I will. Thanks for the nudge

I'm curious because I'm worried about visceral fat which you can't see, but is supposed to be dangerous for health. Also i want to know whether I'm on the right track exercise and diet-wise. I think I am, but it would be good to know how much muscle is building. I am ashamed to admit that I was in the obsese category for my height, and have been struggling with weight problems for years, but at the start of lockdown I decided this was a perfect opportunity to take responsibility for my own health. My diet is now mainly plant-based where I can, with a wide range of foodstuffs, pulses, beans, grains, and lots of fresh veggies and fruit. Also lots of water. I do workouts three or four times weekly with a local teacher (from home!) and Pilates three days a week, plus a 60+ cardio and strength session. Worth every penny. It's hard work but I am now losing weight and feeling stronger. Maybe that should be enough, but I still want to open the oven door and see what's cooking!

Grannylaine I guess some people like to take responsibiilty for their own health & some don't. I was just responding to the OP's question about whether it's worth knowing your body composition.

janeainsworth its true that that is the theory. But it isn't the way I roll. Each to their own.

I think you might want to know, and might want to monitor the proprtion of your weight that was due to fat.
If you’ve lost weight, how do you know whether you’ve lost muscle or fat?
I’ve read recently that the single most important thing over 70’s can do health-wise is maintain muscle mass, by exercising and by eating enough protein.

I guess it would depend on what you would do with the information? Personally, I'd prefer not to know!

River walk, I don’t have a more positive opinion, I agree with you.
IMO if you look fat, feel fat and your clothes don’t fit then the chances are that you are putting on fat.
Muscle weighs more than fat but takes up less space. So if you are looking leaner and weighing more it’s because you have been exercising. You probably know if you have been to the gym.

Wouldn't be worth it for me as I know than any excess weight that showed on the scales would be fat - not heavy bones or toned muscle, but fat, unfortunately!

I'm not sure what purpose they would serve - tell you you have a certain % of body fat, then what?

Maybe someone has a more positive opinion!