What will happen to BIA body fat percentage readings if the individual experiences dehydration?

When an individual experiences dehydration, the readings obtained from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) regarding body fat percentage are likely to be higher than the actual body fat percentage. BIA works by sending a small electrical current through the body and measuring the resistance that the current encounters. Hydration levels significantly influence the body's resistance because lean tissue, which contains more water, conducts electricity better than fat tissue, which has less water.

In a dehydrated state, the reduction in body water leads to increased electrical resistance, which can cause the BIA device to interpret this change as a higher proportion of body fat. As a result, the readings do not accurately reflect the individual’s true body composition when the body is dehydrated. Hence, BIA readings can become skewed due to a lack of sufficient hydration, leading to the conclusion that body fat percentage readings will be inaccurately elevated.