Running head: ASSESSMENT OF BODY COMPOSITION USING DUAL-ENERGY

X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY 1

Assessment of body composition using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry

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Author Note
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Assessment of body composition using DEXA

Introduction

Body composition is the process of grouping the body into its essential components: fat,

protein, minerals and body water. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was discovered thirty years

ago, but are historically underutilized. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry is the recent reference

method of valuation of body composition, mainly because it’s provide precise estimates of the

body fat, muscle mass and bone. It provide a better understanding of how fat tissues and muscles

are distributed, this aids in detecting health threats and more precisely track changes in body

composition. Thispaper aims to explain how DEXA works, its reliability and validity and factors

that affects its reliability and validity.

How does DEXA work?

DEXA utilizes low emissions x-rays. X-rays from two sources are send to the bone being

tested, bones usually blocks certain amount of the x-rays. Less x-rays will get through the

detector if the bone is thick. Using two sources of x-ray increases the accuracy in assessing the

bone density. A detector is used to measure the total of x-rays from the two sources that comes

through the bones. The information is then directed to a computer which analyses a score of the

average density of the bone. The lower the score the less the dense of the bone, which means

some constituents of the bone has been lost and this may lead to bone breakage.

Validity and reliability of DEXA

A series of study has been conducted to measure the validity and reliability of DEXA.

The four compartment model (fat mass, total body water, bone mineral mass and residual mass)

is regarded as criteria in determining the body composition, this model is used to compare when
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assessing the validity of DEXA. Validity of DEXA is at present indistinct when compared with

the four compartment models. Arngrimsson et al, (2000) studied male and female distance

runners’ body fat in which DEXA underestimated the body fat measurements by two percentage.

Other research has shown an underestimation of body fat by three to four percentage and

underestimation of fat free mass by up to three kilograms. Variances in validity may be as a

result of differences in software, producers and wide range of body composition value across

various associates. Even if the current research is incompatible, DEXA is presumed as the valid

technique for assessment of body composition

The reliability of DEXA is important in determining the precision of a single

measurement, as well as the ability to detect changes over multiple measurements. When

determining a person with low bone density or whether the condition is getting worse, DEXA

scan is more accurate because it can detect even small changes in bone loss. It is also more

reliable than other methods in calculating body fat percentages, scan results may indicate the

severity of bone loss and this helps the doctors to determine a person’s risk of developing a

fracture. . Inconsistent results can occur when using scanners from different producers.

Biological variations may also affect reliability of DEXA measurements. Variances in x-ray

beam used can also contribute to error, pencil beams and fan beams provide a different body

composition test results.

Conclusion

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry is the current reference in measurement of body composition

which provides accurate estimates of bone mineral, fat and lean soft tissue. DEXA uses low

energy x-rays. The machine sends x-rays from two diverse sources through the bone being

tested. A detector measures the amount of x-ray which is transmitted to the bone, then the
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information is send to the computer which analyzes score average density of the bones. Validity

of DEXA is measured by comparing the four compartment model, dexa is presumed as a valid

way of assessing the body composition. DEXA is reliable in that it scans more accurate and thus

it can detect small changes in bone loss.

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References

1. Arngrimsson, E. M. Evans, M. J. Saunders, C. L. Ogburn, R. D. Lewis and K. J. Cureton,

“Validation of body composition estimates in male and female distance,” American
Journal of Human Biology, vol. 12, pp. 301-314,
2000. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11534021
2. Bayar, A., Sarıkaya, S., Keser, S., Özdolap, Ş., Tuncay, İ., & Ege, A. (2008). Regional
bone density changes in anterior cruciate ligament deficient knees: a DEXA study. The
Knee, 15(5), 373-377.
3. Laskey, M. A. (1996). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and body
composition. Nutrition, 12(1), 45-51.