Modern smart scales, according to the developers, are able to calculate body mass index, body fat percentage and many other values. However, some studies prove that such devices can not only make mistakes, but also harm a person who will be guided by the information received. Why buying smart scales can turn out to be a waste of money and even a risk to the user's health - in the material "Gazeta.Ru".

What a smart scale can do

According to manufacturers and stores of digital and consumer electronics, a smart scale is a device that, like a conventional bathroom scale, can measure the weight of a weighed body. In addition, they can measure other indicators, such as body mass index (BMI), percentage of fat and muscle in the body, as well as percentage of bone mass, water, basal metabolic rate (basal metabolic rate) and much more.

The basic principle of operation of such devices is standard weight measurement together with bioimpedance analysis. So, a smart scale passes an electric charge in the user's footsteps and analyzes the resistance. After that, the artificial intelligence processes the received data and understands the percentage of fat, muscle, bone and fluid in the body.

Despite the fact that the current supplied to the human body is so small that it is not even felt, some manufacturers of smart weights note that their devices have contraindications at any stage of pregnancy, in the presence of chronic diseases leading to dehydration of the body, as well as if the human body any electronics, such as a pacemaker, are implanted.

The simplest models of scales have only two contacts on which you stand with bare feet. More advanced ones are equipped with an additional stand, on which there are two more - for hands. Thus, they are able to appreciate not only the general condition, but also to issue a detailed layout. For example, the Beurer Super Precision BF1000 analyzes the constituents for each arm and leg as well as the body. Such details are important for those who are serious about sports.

Smart scales are presented in different price categories from 1 thousand rubles. up to 30 thousand rubles There is no big difference between them - the budget versions connect to the phone via Bluetooth, while the more expensive versions have Bluetooth along with a WiFi module. Using WiFi, a smart device can send data not only to a smartphone connected to it, but also to a dedicated server and connect to a smart home system.

There may also be differences in the number of modes available and the ability to track specific body data. But still, even the most budgetary model is sufficient to analyze the main changes in the body. In cheaper models there are restrictions on the number of users, which usually does not exceed 16 people, while in expensive models the number of profiles is not limited in any way.

But the high price is not always justified - some models cost 17 thousand rubles. may have more stripped down functionality even in comparison with the versions for 1.5 thousand rubles. For example, it may not be possible to measure visceral fat percentage and basal metabolic rate.

The device is capable of not only collecting and analyzing data about the body, transferring them to a smartphone, where you can track progress in a proprietary application. Certain models can be paired with popular third-party wellness apps such as Apple Health or Google Fit. Large manufacturers are also creating their own ecosystem, allowing in one application to collect data from smart scales, fitness trackers or smartwatches, as well as other smart gadgets.

Are they really useful?

Despite claims from manufacturing companies and positive reviews from some buyers, in 2021 French scientists discovered that a smart scale was not able to accurately determine body composition and percentage of bone mass.

The study involved 152 people. So, when determining body weight, the scales showed an error of up to 0.3 kg, fat mass - from 2.2 kg to 4.4 kg, and when determining muscle mass, the error ranged from 2.2 kg to 4.4 kg.

Thus, scientists have proven that smart scales are not able to accurately determine body weight, as well as perform their "smart" functions, which distinguish them from conventional and cheaper counterparts.

Smart scales are really not as accurate as devices for bioimpedansometry, which can correctly determine all these parameters, Polina Koroleva, a nutritionist and endocrinologist at the Atlas clinic, confirmed in an interview with her.

“Nobody checks smart scales for home use, but they can be used for approximate orientation. To determine the accuracy of your device, you can conduct the following experiment: compare the results in the morning on an empty stomach and before going to bed in the evening. Do this for several days in a row. This will help to determine the error, ”said the Queen. She also said that psychologists and other doctors do not recommend frequent measurements of body weight and its composition, as this increases the level of anxiety and adversely affects well-being. According to Koroleva, once every 7-10 days is more than enough.

Tatiana Nalegach, therapist of the NAKFF Clinic, also admitted that tracking the state of the body using smart scales is a rather modern, but not very accurate method.

“Body mass index is no longer a very informative method for us. It does not take into account the amount of adipose tissue, muscle mass, and extracellular and intracellular fluid. These indicators help us to fully track the dynamics of the patient's treatment, ”Nalegach said.

Elina Sharifullina, the chief researcher of the Ornament preventive medicine application, told that BMI was developed using large population studies. It helps healthcare providers quickly assess which patients are at risk for health problems associated with being overweight.

The problem is that smart scales do not have any special sensors that track fat and other readings - algorithms based on custom weight calculate these values, which are usually far from the truth. It can even harm the health of a person who will be guided by the obtained values.

“We can only agree that no control of body composition can replace a good annual check-up once a year with control of the work of vital organs and systems,” concluded Sharifullina.

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