[Methods for measuring whole-body adipose tissue: the usefulness of "total body" X-ray densitometry]

"Total body" densitometry, which was first used to determine total-body mineral content, allows, above all in the most recent X-ray (DXA) version, an accurate study to be made of soft tissues in relation to both their adipose and nonadipose components. In addition to being used for overall evaluations, it is possible to use DXA for regional studies of body tissue distribution, thus allowing obesity to be analysed not only in quantitative but also qualitative or more specifically endocrine-metabolic terms. In comparison to other methods DXA is noninvasive, quick to use, low cost and risk free. Given its high accuracy rate it can also be used to monitor patients with demineralizing pathologies, obesity, thinness due to global and/or district edema receiving dietary and/or pharmacological treatment.