In vivo measurement of human body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate measurements of human body composition using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and to assess its precision and variations within and between observers as well as the influence of food and fluid intake.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
District hospital, Denmark.


METHODS
17 volunteers, 12 male and 5 female.


METHODS
Repeated scans under standard conditions.


METHODS
Precision, variations within and between observers, and influence of the degree of hydration.


RESULTS
The repeatability coefficients and the coefficients of variation (CV) were obtained for the four body compartments: tissue mass 416 g (CV 0.2%); fat mass 1117 g (CV 2.6%); lean tissue mass 1425 g (CV 0.9%), and total bone mineral content, (BMC) 109 g (CV 1.2%). There was no significant intraobserver variation. There was little interobserver variation in assessing tissue mass and BMC, but there were significant differences when judging fat and lean tissue mass. Drinking resulted in significantly increased values for tissue and lean tissue mass, which corresponded to the intake.


CONCLUSIONS
DXA is precise and reproducible with little variation within and between observers. It might be useful in clinical studies.
Thomsen
T K
TK
Department of Surgery, Kolding Hospital, Denmark.
Jensen
V J
VJ
Henriksen
M G
MG
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results