dexa scan or other body fat testing?

daves_sweetpea

Has anyone ever tested their body fat through a dexa scan, underwater weighing, etc?  Do you feel the cost was worth the $$ compared to just doing a caliper test? 

I'm asking b/c I am trying to set my Weight Watchers goal.  I have a large frame so going just by BMI as WW does isn't the best for me.  About 10 years ago I just barely got to my goal weight after a 2 year weight loss journey.  Towards the end I had to go to the gym almost every day & lift weights 3-4 times a week just to lose the last 8-10 pounds.  My BMI was just under 25 but my body fat was about 18%.  I just could not keep up the effort & the weight came back.  This time around I want to test my body fat along the way and focus on that as a sign of success, not the number on the scale. 

 Thanks!

Breezy8407

I think a Dexa will be very worth your money.  I haven't had one done, but have looked into doing the Bod Pod - which is available here at some clinics and colleges. Both are going to be more reliable then calipers. (From what I have learned, Dexa and Bod Pod are more accurate then underwater weighing because of oxygen displacement in lungs)

I say go for it - you are so right to want to use something other then the scale to track progress. 

Joenali

In Matt Fitzgerad's book Racing Weight For Peak Performance he said the at home bioimpedence scales are only slightly less accurate than a body scan and much cheaper.

Mrs. Ski

I tend to agree with Joenali. Even though they're not perfect, the bioimpedence scales are pretty accurate when used correctly and consistently.  Also, when used this way they are precise (results are reproducible).  If you do the more expensive tests, how often will you go get tested?  If you get tested with a more expensive, more accurate test adn the rely on bioimpedence scales or calipers, the first measurement won't really mean much to you until you get measured via that method again.  Whatever you are going to use to track, I would use for your first measurement.  You're going to be looking at the trend more than the final number. 

If you do use a bioimpedence scale, always do body fat measurements in the evening when you're fully hydrated.

Breezy8407

Whatever method you use, realize that it doesn't really matter what it says, as long as you are using it for trending and seeing the progress you want.

The OP asked about DEXA...here is an article explaining the different methods of testing:

http://www.new-fitness.com/body_fat_analyzing.html

and another with a little more explanation:

http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/measuring-body-composition-part-2.html

I own a Tanita bio-impedence scale.  It will tell me wildly different numbers based on my hydration, if I worked out recently, dampness of my skin (recently showered etc).  If you want to rely on using it for seeing progress you need to be extremely vigilant in creating the same conditions each time. It works for trending at home well enough, but if I could afford to get another method of testing I would.  That being said, I am at a point where I am comfortable with my body fat levels for the most part and don't feel the need to go further with it.

daves_sweetpea

Thanks for the responses so far!  I'm going to ask my doctor about the DEXA b/c I understand it also looks at bone density.  My mom was diagnosed with pretty bad osteoporosis in her early 40s, well before menopause.  She is very underweight & I don't share that particular risk factor.  Even so I worry & want to make sure I'm a low risk.  It'll be great if I can get my insurance to cover the test.  I'll look into some of the other more affordable tests as a way of tracking my body fat as I work towards my goal.