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Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition estimation in Chinese women

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 53, pages 933–937 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a valid method for body composition assessment of obese and non-obese subjects.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Subjects: Chinese women living in Hong Kong; 66 of 91 subjects had body mass index (BMI) of >25 kg/m2.

Measurements: Anthropometrics, including body weight, body height, waist and hip girth. Percentage body fat (%BF) and fat-free mass (FFM) from DXA (Hologic 2000 plus, Enhanced Array Whole Body Version 5.63) were compared with that based on a tracer dose of deuterium oxide for the determination of total body water (TBW).

Results: In both obese and non-obese subjects, FFMDXA was similar to FFMTBW. The Bland and Altman-type analysis indicated that comparable between-methods differences (mean bias) and limits of agreement were obtained in obese and non-obese subjects for FFM (0.4, between −4.4 and 5.2 kg vs 0.5, between −3.1 and 4.1 kg) and %BF (−0.6, between −7.6 and 6.4% vs −1.2, between −8.6 and 6.2%). The %BF bias was independent of age, BMI, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, but correlated with waist girth (r=0.24, P=0.021).

Conclusion: The sources of bias are methodological and anthropometric in nature. The between-methods differences, however, are small and clinically insignificant. DXA is a valid method for assessing the body composition of obese patients.

Sponsorship: This study was supported by a HKU-CRCG grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology University of Hong Kong, Food and Nutritional Science Program, Hong Kong, SAR, People’s Republic of China

    M He & ETS Li

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, People’s Republic of China

    AWC Kung

Authors
  1. M He
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  2. ETS Li
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  3. AWC Kung
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Contributions

Guarantor: ETS Li.

Contributors: MH was responsible for executing the study, which included subject recruitment, operating the DXA and measuring total body water. She also analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. AK was responsible for referral of obese subjects and their medical examinations, and assisted in study design and drafting the manuscript. EL was responsible for study design, statistical analysis and revisions of the draft manuscript.

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Correspondence to ETS Li.

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He, M., Li, E. & Kung, A. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition estimation in Chinese women. Eur J Clin Nutr 53, 933–937 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600875

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600875

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