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DEXA measures FAT precisely
NEW DELHI: Obesity is common problem today and Body Mass Index (BMI) is often used to quantify an individual's obesity level. This is the simplest of tests - your height squared, divided by your weight. “The BMI equation is extremely popular, yet it can be extremely inaccurate and misleading and studies have proved that it can result in up to 20 %+ error. Whereas, DEXA – dual x-ray absorptiometry imaging provides a high degree of precision with a 2-3 % margin of error” says Dr. Ajay Aggarwal, Radiologist & Director, DCA Group.
Based on regulated formula of mathematics, BMI is calculated using a formula that accounts for a person's height and weight. Equal to a person's weight in kilograms (kg) divided by height in meters squared (BMI = kg/m2), a BMI calculation gives one an approximation. The equation does not take into account body composition, a measure of the percentages of muscle and fat composing ones body. It is therefore less accurate if you have a non-typical amount of muscle. This is because while a person with an above average amount of muscle is likely to be healthier because of it, the equation simply interprets the added muscle as fat and overestimates obesity. The problem is compounded by the fact that muscle weighs more than fat. Conversely, with older persons and others with a below average amount of muscle, the BMI equation underestimates obesity. Because of this discrepancy, if you are gaining (or losing) a significant amount of muscle with your weight loss program, checking how your clothes fit might be a better way to monitor your progress than recalculating your BMI.
“A BMI scale does not decipher difference between body fat and lean body mass but DEXA can. Therefore to make good judgments it is most important to understand what is your body composition” adds Dr. Ajay Aggarwal.
In contrast, DEXA imaging gives a fairer view as the results yielded through the tests followed, are an accurate configuration of body fats rather than mere approximation based results. “DEXA is a technology that is based on the three-component model of body composition and uses two X-ray energies to measure body fat, muscle, and bone mineral. The scanning takes approximately 10- 20 minutes for the computer software to produce an image of the tissues. After which, the results may be viewed as whole body estimates of body fat, muscle, and bone mineral as well as regional body estimates”, explains Dr. Ajay Aggarwal.
DEXA takes bone mineral content into consideration while estimating body fat and muscle, the results received are more accurate and valid rather than two component model of body composition as determined by BMI formula which is more of an approximation in general rather than a legitimate declaration of body fats as given by DEXA imaging.
Apart from delivering accurate results, the scanning is quicker; following limited radiation exposure; despite restrictions of wearing skimpy clothing as required by BMI and other tests. Moreover the patient need not take any precautions to go in for a DEXA scanning.
“BMI correlates more with health risks associated with being overweight or obese rather than detecting the condition of obesity. Whereas DEXA scanning is a reliable source of furthering obesity treatments to a patient after the accurate results received through the test. As the scanning allows an overall determination of the amount of body fat as well as identification of the major fat deposits in specific body regions; the result becomes more precise as stores of body fat can be more indicative of obesity risk”, comments Dr Ajay Aggarwal, Director, DCA Group.
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