Body Fat testing ?

[robs2nd75]

My understanding is that water always reads as lean tissue with bf testing. Is there any form of bf testing that isn't thrown off by water and if so what does the water weight read as?

 

[JWSimpkins]

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is affected by hydration levels, which can skew the measurement results by up to a 5 kg overestimation of body fat levels.

A more accurate method of analyzing body fat, which is not affected by hydration levels is Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Yes, DEXA is great. It is difficult to find places that perform whole body DEXA's, though.

For deep belly fat (visceral fat), a CT scan on the L4-L5 area is what we use in lipodystrophy research. DEXA's trunk fat combines visceral and subcutaneous fat.

 

[Bobby]

Just had my BF tested using the Bod Pod, which is supposed to be the "Gold Standard" of BF testing. The following link will give you locations where testing is available:

www.bodpod.com

 

[jimithing]

I second the bod pod for accuracy and ease of use. Relatively inexpensive, not invasive, takes about 5 min to do and you get the results right away.