I wasn't aware that there is a newer, supposedly more accurate technique for measuring body fat percentage. It's the DEXA scanner, which is used for measuring bone density.
I had a bone density scan today as part of an osteoporosis research study conducted by a local medical school. Along with my bone density results, they also gave me my total body fat percentage.
I didn't realize that the DEXA scanner could be used for this. I looked it up and apparently it's the new "gold standard" for body fat measurement:
www.new-fitness.com/body_fat_analyzing.html
DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) - A relatively new technology that is very accurate and precise, DEXA is based on a three-compartment model that divides the body into total body mineral, fat-free soft (lean) mass, and fat tissue mass. This technique is based on the assumption that bone mineral content is directly proportional to the amount of photon energy absorbed by the bone being studied.
DEXA uses a whole body scanner that has two low dose x-rays at different sources that read bone and soft tissue mass simultaneously. The sources are mounted beneath a table with a detector overhead. The scanner passes across a person's reclining body with data collected at 0.5 cm intervals. A scan takes between 10-20 minutes. It is safe and noninvasive with little burden to the individual, although a person must lie still throughout the procedure.
DEXA is fast becoming the new "gold standard" because it provides a higher degree of precision in only one measurement and has the ability to show exactly where fat is distributed throughout the body. It is very reliable and its results extremely repeatable; in addition, the method is safe and presents little burden to the subject. Although this method is not as accurate in measuring the extremely obese and the cost of equipment is high, DEXA is quickly moving from the laboratory setting into clinical studies.
I found this part of the results amusing, too (as did the hubby). Who knew that our heads contained so much fat? We were wondering whether brain matter counts as fat or as "lean tissue". Here are my numbers:
Left arm ........ 23.6% fat
Right arm ....... 25.7% fat
Trunk ............ 14.9% fat
Left leg .......... 29.8% fat
Right leg ........ 31.3% fat
Head ............. 19.4% fat
Total body ...... 22.0% body fat
I am pretty sure brain is fairly fatty, at least the myelinated fibers.
So, I just Googled this AFTER posting my supposition and....
The myelin insulation around neural axons and glial cells, which is mostly lipid, brings the fat content of an animal brain to about 60%.
wiki.answers.com/.../What_percentage_of_the_brain_is_fat
Your right arm and leg seem to be fatter than your left arm and leg. I remember a lack of symmetry for me, as well, but I can't remember if it was consistent with arm and leg.
I am trying to guess if this means you are right or left handed. Righties tend to have somewhat bigger right arms, I would think, but you might also imagine that these bigger limbs get exercised more than their submissive limb mates, hence they would have less fat.
It could go either way. But...extrapolating from my less fat leg (the right one), and the fact that I am right handed, I am going to guess that you are a lefty.
Let me know if I guessed right! If I did, it wasn't a guess but rather a Holmsian deduction. Elementary, I must say.
If I guess wrong, it was a guess.
I found this part of the results amusing, too (as did the hubby). Who knew that our heads contained so much fat? We were wondering whether brain matter counts as fat or as "lean tissue". Here are my numbers:
Left arm ........ 23.6% fat
Right arm ....... 25.7% fat
Trunk ............ 14.9% fat
Left leg .......... 29.8% fat
Right leg ........ 31.3% fat
Head ............. 19.4% fat
Total body ...... 22.0% body fat
I am pretty sure brain is fairly fatty, at least the myelinated fibers.
So, I just Googled this AFTER posting my supposition and....
The myelin insulation around neural axons and glial cells, which is mostly lipid, brings the fat content of an animal brain to about 60%.
wiki.answers.com/.../What_percentage_of_the_brain_is_fat
Your right arm and leg seem to be fatter than your left arm and leg. I remember a lack of symmetry for me, as well, but I can't remember if it was consistent with arm and leg.
I am trying to guess if this means you are right or left handed. Righties tend to have somewhat bigger right arms, I would think, but you might also imagine that these bigger limbs get exercised more than their submissive limb mates, hence they would have less fat.
It could go either way. But...extrapolating from my less fat leg (the right one), and the fact that I am right handed, I am going to guess that you are a lefty.
Let me know if I guessed right! If I did, it wasn't a guess but rather a Holmsian deduction. Elementary, I must say.
If I guess wrong, it was a guess.
