Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the reliability and precision of body compartment measures, in particular visceral adipose tissue, in weight stable adults over a range of BMIs using GE-Lunar iDXA. Weight-stable participants aged 18–65 years had a total body composition scan on GE-Lunar iDXA either on three separate occasions over a three month period (n = 51), or on a single occasion for duplicate scans with repositioning (n = 30). The coefficient of variation (CV%) and least significant change (LSC) of body compartments were calculated. The CV was higher for all measures over three months (range 0.8–5.9%) compared with same-day precision-scans (all < 2%). The CV for visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was considerably higher than all other body compartments (42.2% three months, 16.2% same day scanning). To accurately measure VAT mass using the GE iDXA it is recommended that participants have a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, or VAT mass > 500 g. Changes observed in VAT mass levels below 500 g should be interpreted with caution due to lack of precision and reliability. All other compartmental measures demonstrated good reliability, with less than 6% variation over three months.
Highlights
Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is one of the most accessible, simple, quick, relatively non-invasive measures of body composition [1,2]
The iDXA is generally recognized as a reliable measure of body composition, as with any laboratory and imaging instrument, outputs can vary over time due to factors such as changes in instrument calibration, fluctuation of component function, and others [34]
Regardless, our results indicate that for reliable measurements of changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) using the iDXA, participants need to have a body mass index (BMI)
Summary
Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is one of the most accessible, simple, quick, relatively non-invasive measures of body composition [1,2]. It is widely used in human studies where changes in body compartment composition attains importance [3,4,5,6,7], providing a measure of physiological responses to obesity interventions. Being able to compartmentalize body fat into both SAT and VAT has become more relevant This has been recently reviewed by Marinangeli and Kassis [8] in relation to weight management studies. To further understand metabolic risks associated with different body compositions it has been recommended to include a fast and valid measure of body compartment changes, such as VAT, in obesity treatment [9]
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