Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry vs underwater weighing comparison of strengths and weaknesses

This paper discusses a number of strengths and weaknesses of two methods for determination of body fat, Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and underwater weighing (UWW). Several error sources are theoretically quantified. One source of error in the UWW method, variation in bone mass fraction, is examined using data gathered on 219 human subjects who were measured by both methods. The experimental data show the expected linear form but do not exactly match the theoretical curves, indicating that all error sources are not completely understood. The data suggest a possible error in the Brozek equation which is commonly used to compute % fat in UWW.