Wednesday, December 5, 2018

I am always confused by charts like this. Ambiguity in it's finest form to a global thinker. So, is the chart stating that 40-60% of men in the 50-59 year old age group have a 25%-29% body fat? If so, then I get it. But I question the validity in that it is based on Dexa scan results because Dexa scan is a costly test, not covered by most insurance, and is widely unavailable. I would say the results are skewed towards those who are more affluent and therefore statically have more leisure and self care time available. Somehow I doubt that this chart (as I am interpreting it) represents a broad sampling of Joe and Jane America.

This chart wasn't explained to me, but I guess I never thought it was a broad sampling. I know it isn't population based....those sort of cross sectional, gigantic studies that feed into NHANES, for example, are pretty rare -- and expensive.

I assume this is from the company's own data. I would assume (lots of assuming going on) that N is multi-thousands maybe tens of thousands. They do know their N and it would be nice if they included it for each group. But, it is just data and they aren't implying anything else -- I don't think validity applies here. To their credit, they aren't saying what is good or desired, either. Not even in person.

I generally agree with the criteria you describe....additionally, this company operates mostly on the West coast and (I think) Houston. And, since I meet that criteria, I do find it interesting but not definitive in any way.

One thing that it does have in common with a true observational study is that "more study is needed...."

Sigh... now I feel super dumb... I don't even know for sure what the data they are trying to show is.... Sigh....

I am pretty sure you know you aren't dumb. :) Our experience was different ---- they handed me a bunch of numbers that only related to me.

I am sure one of the first question they get asked by newbies is "how do I compare to others?" So, they have a table for that.

I would guess that most of us repeating are only interested in comparing with our own last results.

Okay, then goll dang it! What does the column heading category mean???? 0-20th percentile, 20-40 percentile, etc....???

Then I get that each row pertains to an age group, but what does the less than sign in front of a percentage represent?

See? Now, being slightly OCD, I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS CHART!

LOL!

I am 55 and have 21% BF. So I would land in the 0-20th percentile column because it includes all the BF% less than 27%. Thinking more about the column heading, the 0-20th% is the bottom quintile of my age group. 80% of the women in my age group had a higher BF% than my quintile.

(let's pause to note that quintiles are sort of unsatisfying if you are into knowing exactly where you stand. I think many people would like to know exactly what % they fell on.....not onto what quintile.)

Does this make sense? And, hopefully I have that right.

I am glad you asked, because I look more closely, I think I was assuming too much....

They did use the word "target" which made me wonder about the data....maybe it isn't their own observational data. Maybe they have a source for "targets" but if they do, they don't name it.

I did a quick google search,and guess what, there is NHANES data for dexa body fat which is pretty funny since I brought up that I doubted it existed so here it is but I confess I didn't read.

But, I don't think NHANES charts would be used as a "target" because so many of us are overweight/MO. We don't want to use Americans as our templates for targets, do we?

So, now I am curious about where this data comes from but not enough to surf the web to see if I can find it. (And I really REALLY doubt there is an evidence based chart for BF% "targets" tho I bet there is a lot of opinion)

I have an email offering a 15 minute phone explanation of my results so I think I'll set that up for next week and then ask about the chart.

So....if you think of more questions....let me know and I'll bring it up.

I read the chart the same way you do. And I have approximately 32% body fat, so I fall into the 50th percentile as per my own reading. If it doesn't mean that, then it's lost on me!!

And I completely agree with your analysis about sample selection.

I'm chiming in from Chi-town where it's been snowing lightly the last few days, although it's not doing so right now.

My birthday and all the celebrations and other day's activities were magnificent! If you're friends with me on FB, you've seen the photographic evidence. :) And if we're not FB friends and you'd like to be, send me a private message here on OH, and tell me your FB profile name -- I'll "friend" you.

Best news of all is that my eye has healed incredibly well. Last night I was able to use eye makeup and foundation to almostly completely cover up the last of the swelling. Seriously, that gorilla-cillin shot and the Augmentin are da bomb!

Today is a relaxation / recovery day -- had a manicure and pedicure, did a little grocery shopping, just had a nice turkey sandwich and sliced apple lunch here on the 14th floor with classical music playing. Tonight's big activity is a yoga class. Perfect!

Tomorrow, things get busy again, with a luncheon, afternoon shopping, coffee with a friend, and another fancy dress-up dinner. So today's quietude is especially welcome.

Now -- about last night's dinner: It was the most sensory eating experience I've ever had in my life! Don't faint when I tell you it was 12 courses. But that happened over 3 hours, and some courses were only 2 tablespoons. The magic was in the combination of tastes and in the vividness of those tastes. Honest to God, I kept saying to my friend/hostess: "They must put drugs in this food, because this feels like a GREAT LSD trip!" BTW, the restaurant (Alinea) is a three-star Michelin restaurant and has multiple times been voted "the best restaurant in America." I don't ever expect to have another meal like that in my life and am so glad I got to eat like that last night.

It. Was. Worth. Every. Single. Calorie.

And then there were wines. But I'll stop there. :)

Miss y'all. Having a great time. Wish you were here. xoxoxoxo

Ann

Oh that sounds just wonderful Ann :) So happy you are having a ball

Wow! You ate at Alinea! My son did a stage (tryout) there for an internship, but ended up in Napa instead.