QDR 4500A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer underestimates fat mass in comparison with criterion methods in adults.
BACKGROUND
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) has become one of the most frequently used methods for estimating human body composition. Although the DXA technique has been validated for the measurement of fat-free mass and fat mass, differences in calibration between instruments produced by different manufacturers, as well as between different models produced by the same manufacturer, have been reported.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to compare the calibration of the QDR 4500A against criterion methods in a large heterogeneous population.


METHODS
DXA-derived body-composition data were obtained from 7 studies: 6 data sets were provided by the investigators, one of which was published. The data included fat mass and fat-free mass measured with a QDR 4500A and criteria measurements of body composition from total body water by dilution at 4 centers, densitometry from 1 center, and four-compartment analysis at 2 centers.


RESULTS
In the cohort of 1195 subjects, 602 men and 593 women aged 19-82 y with a body mass index (in kg/m2) of 16-44, the fan-beam DXA overestimated fat-free mass (P < 0.05). A significant difference was observed in all 7 data sets, and the mean (+/-SE) was 5 +/- 1%.


CONCLUSIONS
It is recommended that the lean soft tissue mass estimate with the fan-beam QDR 4500A be reduced by 5% and that for fat mass be increased by that same mass. This finding is particularly important because the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is using the QDR 4500A to assess body composition in a nationally representative sample of persons in the United States.
Schoeller
Dale A
DA
Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Tylavsky
Frances A
FA
Baer
David J
DJ
Chumlea
William C
WC
Earthman
Carrie P
CP
Fuerst
Thomas
T
Harris
Tamara B
TB
Heymsfield
Steven B
SB
Horlick
Mary
M
Lohman
Timothy G
TG
Lukaski
Henry C
HC
Shepherd
John
J
Siervogel
Roger M
RM
Borrud
Lori G
LG
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods*; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D001834:Body Water; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014481:United States