Which method among impedance testing, DEXA, and skin-fold is used to assess body composition by measuring fat percentage and bone density?

Which method among impedance testing, DEXA, and skin-fold is used to assess body composition by measuring fat percentage and bone density?

• A. Impedance testing
• B. Skin-fold
• C. EKG
• D. DEXA

Answer: (D)

DEXA, or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, is designed to quantify bone mineral density and body composition. It uses two X-ray energies to distinguish bone, fat, and lean tissue, giving precise measurements of fat mass, lean mass, and bone density. This dual capability is why it’s the best answer for assessing fat percentage alongside bone density.

Impedance testing estimates body composition by sending a small electrical current through the body; results depend on hydration and tissue conductivity, and it does not measure bone density. Skin-fold measurements estimate subcutaneous fat by measuring skin thickness at several sites and can approximate fat percentage, but it does not provide bone density and relies on technique and equations. EKG measures heart electrical activity and isn’t used to assess body composition.

So, the method that gives both fat percentage and bone density is DEXA.