Body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry half-body scans in obese children

To perform a methods comparison of a left or right half-body scan versus whole-body scan for measuring body composition in a sample of obese children.

A group of obese children (n = 58; ≥ 95th BMI percentile; 8-18 years) were required to undergo a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition measurement as part of an ongoing cohort study; 34 fit within the imaging field of the DXA scanner and were eligible for inclusion in the present analysis. Percent fat, total mass, fat mass, lean mass and bone mineral content (BMC) were estimated from half-body scans and compared with the whole-body results. Assessment was completed using GE enCORE 11.40 software.

In comparing left- and right-side scans to whole-body scans, there was significant correlation for all body composition variables (p ≤ 0.005, R(2) = 0.996-1.0). Bland Altman analyses also showed high levels of agreement between half-body estimates and whole-body measurements.

This study supports using a half-body scan methodology for percent fat, total mass, fat mass, lean mass, and BMC as a valid alternative to full-body analysis in obese children and youth.