DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) - A relatively new technology that
is very accurate and precise, DEXA is based on a three-compartment model
that divides the body into total body mineral, fat-free soft (lean) mass,
and fat tissue mass. This technique is based on the assumption that bone
mineral content is directly proportional to the amount of photon energy
absorbed by the bone being studied. Has anyone tried this method, and if so how were the results?
It is a great technique. It provides total body comp, regional body comp (like %fat in the arms, trunk, and leg separately) and bone mineral density.
The research is mixed regarding the accuracy, but it is very reliable. The main problems are that although there is DXA technique, there are different manufacturers, software generations, data collection modes, machine generations, etc. that make it difficult to really establish DXA as a method. You can do a study to validate a specific machine, but it does not prove that the method works overall.
Anyways, I've had several scans and if you get the chance, I would jump on it, but I wouldn't pay a ton to do it. Read my articles about body comp in issues 208 and 209 and you will see my philosophy on body comp measurements.
Sounds expensive just to figure out BF%. Do you/we really need something soooo accurate? I don’t get it, so many of you seem so worried about this number. Honestly, what difference does it make if you look good?
I gotta agree with both poster above. The absolute % number is both unknowable and irrelevant. I am at 10% (according to calipers) but I’m gonna skip the autopsy to determine whether my visceral fat is higher or lower than average.
What I do know is that I am 13-14mm abdominal skinfold. I can measure this myself each day. I estimate I need to get it to 10mm in order to see my damn abs. At that point, I will be lean enough for my purposes. I have a device – the $20 SlimGuide caliper – to track my progress and know my current status. Why waste any time or money or agonize over anything else?
Note: I used to go to a BodPod place. Then I realized the caliper – in MY hands on MY body – was more accurate and repeatable. Accurate in terms of millimeters, not my precise bodyfat %age. Much, much cheaper and easier to squeeze in the morning.
Thanks Jason, My club is offering it for $50, so i’ll give it a chance and see what it has to offer. I’ll re-read the articles on BF Measuring.