فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

INTRODUCTION: With the advancement of bioelectrical impedance analysis method, body fatcan be estimated with portable devices at home. These devices are popular in home body fatmonitoring (HBFM). However, improper use of the device may provide erroneous result.AIM: This study aimed to find out the level of competency of the operator in HBFM.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted with 34 individuals(males = 11, females = 23) during March–December, 2017. A pretested questionnaire was used tocollect information by expert interviewer. Data were collected about premeasurement precautions,steps followed in body fat measurement proper, and postmeasurement action. Survey data wereexpressed in mean, standard deviation, and percentage and statistically tested by unpaired t‑test andChi‑square test according to necessity with α =0.05. Analyses were done in GraphPad Prism 6.01.RESULTS: Premeasurement precautions for maintaining proper hydration level were not followedby majority of the participants. Avoidance of exercise in preceding 12 h was not followed by94.12% (χ2 = 26.47, P < 0.0001), voiding bladder before the measurement was not followed by88.24% ( χ2 = 19.88, P < 0.0001), and avoidance of diuretics (e.g., chocolate, caffeine) was notpracticed by 82.35% (χ2 = 14.24, P = 0.0002). Prescribed steps for measurement proper were followedby majority of the operators. However, 61.76% (χ2 = 1.88, P = 0.17) forgot to keep log of the readings.CONCLUSION: Clinicians, fitness instructors, and nutritionists should emphasize on premeasurementfactors for educating their clients for HBFM. This would help proper tracking of body fat level.