Alternatives to DXA Scanning

Skinfold Method
Calipers are used to estimate body fat by skinfold thickness. Three to nine different standard anatomical sites on the right side of the body are measured and then the mean of two measurements or the median of three measurements is calculated. The accuracy of the skinfold method is affected the skill of the technician, the type of calipers used, the prediction equation used for the measurement, and subject factors. It is for this reason that only an estimate of body fat can be obtained and not a true value.

Hydrodensitometry (Underwater Weighing)
This method estimates body fat by submerging the body in water and is based on the principle of water displacement. This method can be very accurate, but is cumbersome and technically difficult. It requires that you breathe out as much air as possible from your lungs and that you get weighed underwater. Failure to expel all air from the lungs will result in an overestimation of fat content. Your state of hydration and density of your bones could invalidate the results also. The individual being tested remains fully clothed and lies still in a supine position for the duration of the x-ray. At the end of the study, a technician will provide you with a printout of your results.

BMI
The body mass index is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. Although the BMI is perhaps the most popular measure of overall health, it does not show the difference between fat and muscle mass. For instance, an individual with high muscle mass, such as a body builder, may have a BMI in an unhealthy range but have little fat and may still be considered healthy.

BIA
A bioelectrical impedance analyzer works by sending a small, safe electrical signal through the body, which is carried by water and fluids. Impedance is greatest in fat tissue. Therefore, the impedance measurement along with an individual’s height and weight, and body type are considered in calculating body composition values. This method has a greater margin of error as it relies on hydration levels of an individual that may vary due to fluid intake, caffeine and alcohol consumption, exercise or eating prior to measurement, certain prescription drugs, illness, or a woman’s menstrual cycle.