What is Segmental Body Composition?

With the Body Scan, Withings has introduced a new and improved body composition measurement technology. Segmental body composition includes more in-depth fat mass, muscle mass, bone mass, and water percentage metrics. With the aid of the additional electrodes in the provided handle, Body Scan can provide detailed body composition measurements for more specific areas of the body (torso, arms and legs). With segmental body composition, you will be able to see, as an example, the fat percentage and total muscle mass of your left arm and right arm independently. This level of detail is a step up from traditional body composition measurement, which provides a general overview of whole body composition.

Visualizing how each of these components is distributed throughout your body can help you better understand your overall health and fitness. It allows you to target imbalances, so you can then improve them.

Fat mass

Fat plays an important role in the body, as it helps regulate temperature, store energy, and is important for managing hormones. However, too much fat can be linked to health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Having too little fat, on the other hand, may also be linked to some health issues including low bone density or fertility issues.

Muscle mass

Muscle mass refers to the weight of muscles in your body. Muscles act like the engines of our body, as they support our metabolism and affect our overall health, vital functions, and fitness ability.

Water Percentage

Percentage of body water is the total amount of fluid in your body. With segmental body composition, both intracellular and extracellular water (water inside and outside of the cells) are taken into account when your total body water percentage is measured.