Imaging body composition in obesity and weight loss: challenges and opportunities

Figures & data

Table 1 Key characteristics of the most common imaging techniques used to quantify body composition

Imaging technology	DEXA	Quantitative X-ray CT	MRI
Year (first applied to body composition)	1981^Citation56	1979^Citation57	1984^Citation58
Images acquired	Coronal 2D projection	2D single-slice 2D multislice	2D single-slice 2D multislice 3D image volumes
Coefficient of variation	Total body fat: 2%–3%^Citation59	SAT: 0.50%^Citation60 VAT: 1.20%^Citation60 (multislice acquisition)	Total body fat: 2.90%^Citation61 VAT: 2.32%^Citation55 SAT: 2.25%^Citation55 TAT: 1.01%^Citation55
Scan time (whole body)	10–20 min	Several seconds per slice	10–20 min
Resolution	1 mm × 1 mm^Citation62	1.8 mm × 1.8 mm × 5 mm^Citation55	2 mm × 2 mm × 8 mm^Citation63
Radiation dose	5–7 μSv^Citation59	2.7–10 mSv^Citation64,Citation65 (whole body)	None
Research cost per scan	Moderate (~$135)	High (~$500)	High (~$500)
Availability	Moderate	Limited	Limited

Abbreviations: DEXA, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; CT, computed tomography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; 2D, 2-dimensional; 3D, 3-dimensional; SAT, subcutaneous adipose tissue; VAT, visceral adipose tissue; TAT, total adipose tissue.

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