Official Position of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism (ABRASSO) on the evaluation of body composition by densitometry—part II (clinical aspects): interpretation, reporting, and special situations

Abstract

Objective:

To present an updated and evidence-based guideline for the use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess body composition in clinical practice.

Materials and methods:

This Official Position was developed by the Scientific Committee of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism ( Associação Brasileira de Avaliação Óssea e Osteometabolismo , ABRASSO) and experts in the field who were invited to contribute to the preparation of this document. The authors searched current databases for relevant publications in the area of body composition assessment. In this second part of the Official Position, the authors discuss the interpretation and reporting of body composition parameters assessed by DXA and the use of DXA for body composition evaluation in special situations, including evaluation of children, persons with HIV, and animals.

Conclusion:

This document offers recommendations for the use of DXA in body composition evaluation, including indications, interpretation, and applications, to serve as a guiding tool in clinical practice and research for health care professionals in Brazil.

Keywords:
Body composition; Absorptiometry; X-ray; Lean mass; Fat mass; Sarcopenia; Pediatrics; HIV

Background

In clinical practice, body composition may be assessed by different methods such as air or water displacement, bio-electrical impedance (BIA), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Anthropometric measurements can also be used as a surrogate approach for estimating body composition. Each of these methods has strengths and limitations in terms of accessibility, accuracy, and comprehensiveness [ ¹ ].

Systems of BIA measure the resistance to a harmless electric current flow passing through the body. The electricity conducted through the water in the body provides an estimate of the total body water and predicts an individual’s fat-free mass (FFM) based on assumed constant hydration, as used in the deuterium dilution method. However, BIA is not a reference method to measure body composition since it relies on specific assumptions, of which the most important is constant hydration [ ² ].

In contrast, MRI and CT offer more detailed measurements of specific tissues and small areas, e.g., fat infiltration and visceral adiposity. Critical limitations of both methods include radiation exposure related to CT scanning, and high cost and limited availability related to MRI scanning [ ¹ ].

Ultrasound has inconsistent image reproducibility that may be caused by variations in the pressure applied by the transducer on the skin, measurement site, anisotropy, and protocol feasibility, limiting the diagnostic and monitoring application of ultrasound for assessment of nutritional status [ ³ ]. According to the current best evidence, only anthropometric measurements correlate with cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome [ ⁴ ].

Originally developed to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), DXA is also used to measure lean and fat mass. DXA systems straddle the line between a three-compartment model and a two-compartment model (FFM = BMC + lean mass) of the body [ ² ]. DXA is preferable for body composition assessment, as it performs whole-body scanning in a short time, emits low radiation, provides regional analyses, and is likely to be more accessible and affordable than CT or MRI. Compared with other methods, DXA has been recommended as the standard method for assessing body composition in most patient groups ( Table 1 ) [ ¹ , ³ , ⁵ , ⁶ ].

Table 1
Strengths and limitations of different methods of evaluation of body composition (adapted from References [ ¹ - ⁵ ])

Measurement technology	Time/cost/availability	Radiation-free	Accuracy	Precision	Regional versus whole body	Muscle/fat	Intratissue fat	VAT
Anthropometry	++	++	-/+	-/+	-	-	-	-
Air/water displacement	-	++	+	++	-	-	-	-
BIA	+	++	-/+	+	+	-/+	-	-/+
Ultrasound	+	++	+	-/+	-	+	+	+
CT	+	-	++	++	-	++	++	++
MRI	-	++	++	++	++	++	++	++
DXA	+	+	+	++	+	+	-	+

• DXA dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, BIA bioelectrical impedance, CT computed tomography, MRI magnetic resonance imaging, VAT visceral adipose tissue, + strength, with + + defining strong evidence, - limitation

Materials and methods

This document is a result of efforts by the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism ( Associação Brasileira de Avaliação Óssea e Osteometabolismo/ Brazilian Society on Bone and Osteo-metabolism Evaluation, ABRASSO) for the development of recommendations based on the current evidence available in the scientific literature regarding measurement of body composition using DXA. The ABRASSO Scientific Committee invited experts in the field to contribute to the preparation of this document. The authors were invited by ABRASSO to provide scientific information on body composition measurements. ABRASSO was chosen as the official organization for the preparation of this document considering its national expression and the fact that it congregates professionals from several medical areas related to bone and mineral metabolism (rheumatology, endocrinology, gynecology, orthopedics, geriatric and gerontology, physiatry, sports medicine and rehabilitation, nephrology, infectious diseases, pediatrics, veterinary medicine) along with supporting health care professionals (nutritionists, dietitians, biomedical scientists, biologists, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists, and basic researchers). The main criteria for inviting collaborators were their areas of expertise, contributions to the field, association with medical organizations related to the topics covered in this document, and publication of papers and practical management on the covered topic, thus fulfilling the endorsement by ABRASSO and other participating medical societies. The invited authors were divided into small groups (with 2 to 6 authors per group) according to their areas of expertise and questions to be addressed. Additionally, all the authors composed the steering committee for the development of the study that resulted in the present document and designed the protocol to address specific questions related to the applicability of body composition measurements (including technical and practical issues). All the authors wrote the manuscript with input from each other, critically reviewed the manuscript, and approved its final version for submission (fulfilling the criteria for authorship). Only one of the authors had a conflict of interest to disclose related to the topic of body composition measurements (reported at the end of the paper), and all the authors participated actively in the discussions and are responsible for the information reported in this document.

The aim of this position statement is to answer routine questions about body composition assessment and serve as a guideline for clinicians and researchers in Brazil. The authors searched current databases for relevant publications and described their findings below using a narrative review format. The search strategy was similar among all authors and was conducted by each group using the electronic databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, and SciELO. The expressions used included “adult and pediatric normative data,” “lean mass measurements,” “fat mass measurements,” “basic area and technical science,” “other anthropometrical measurements,” “other non-DXA body composition measurements,” among others. The authors also searched for other potential studies not retrieved by the search strategies by consulting review articles, meta-analyses/systematic reviews, and guidelines issued by specialty societies, particularly the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) Official Position. To increase the search sensitivity, MeSH search terms were used for clinical conditions and therapeutic interventions but not for comparators or outcomes. Only studies published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish were considered. The search was limited to studies published between January 1st, 2000, and July 31st, 2021. The search in each electronic database included the following descriptors (key words): “body composition measurements,” “DXA,” “other measurements NO DXA,” “skinfold,” “plethysmography,” “ultrasound,” “computed tomography,” “magnetic resonance imaging,” “bioelectrical impedance analysis,” “absorptiometry,” “x-ray,” “methodology,” “artifacts,” “technical procedures,” “fat mass,” “bone mass,” “lean mass,” “sarcopenia,” “DXA,” “clinical conditions,” “elderly,” “obesity,” “adiposity,” “children and adolescents,” “HIV,” “animals,” “physical parameters,” “transgenders,” “Brazilian normality data,” and “clinical applicability.” Due to the extent of the position statement, it was divided into two parts. Part I was dedicated to a revision of methods for evaluation of body composition and their technical aspects, and Part II focused on the interpretation of results and clinical applications.

A total of 131 articles were reviewd for the preparation of this second part of the Position Statement. All articles were carefully analyzed first by the groups of authors and then by the ABRASSO Steering Committee. Using electronic correspondence (email), the collaborators in each group discussed the articles based on their expertise until they reached a consensus regarding the best and most current scientific evidence. The final questions presented in this second part of the Position Statement were chosen by the ABRASSO Steering Committee and by experts in body composition assessment using DXA. These questions were based on the main questions and problems encountered in clinical practice concerning the clinical aspects of body composition assessment by DXA and are presented into the following sections: clinical aspects, interpretation, reporting, and special situations. Finally, the authors and the ABRASSO Steering Committee prepared a statement answering each question based on current scientific evidence. Using a Likert scale, the final agreement level (from 0 to 100%) was reached through electronic voting among all collaborators for all 10 statements ( Table 2 ).

Table 2
Statements from the Official Position of the Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Metabolism (ABRASSO) regarding the clinical application of body composition measurements using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), along with the levels of agreement (interrater reliability) among the statement’s collaborators

Question	Statement	Level of agreement(%)
1. What are the validated criteria for bone mass assessment?	The WHO criteria for densitometric osteoporosis only apply to the skeletal sites of the proximal femur (femoral neck and total hip), lumbar spine (L1-L4), and 33% radius. The only exception is the ?se of total body less head (TBLH) bone mass Z-score values as a diagnostic criterion of low bone mass in pediatric patients, with an adopted cutoff value of - 2.0 standard deviations (SDs) of the mean value obtained from individuals of the same age. The NHANES III reference database for total body BMC should be adopted when DXA is used for body composition assessment in children Body composition DXA reports regarding bone mass should include: BMC results (in grams); BMD values (in g/cm2) and Z-scores (SDs) should be reported for adults, but without establishing a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis. For individuals with Z-score values below - 2.0 SD, the sentence “low bone mass for age” may be reported; TBLH and Z-scores should be reported in children and adolescents	96.7
2. What are the criteria for assessing fat mass?	Recommendations for assessment of fat mass include the fat mass index (FMI? in kg/m2), interpreted according to the NHANES III cutoff values, the estimated abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT? in g/cm3 if assessed with a GE-Lunar device or g/cm2 if assessed with a Hologic device), and the android-to-gynoid (A/G) fat ratio	95.7
3. What are the validated criteria for assessing lean mass?	Several validated criteria are available for assessing appendicular lean mass using DXA, including the Baumgartner criteria, the Newman criteria, and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Sarcopenia Project criteria Lean mass can also be assessed using muscle strength parameters, including dynamometry and indirect and dynamic physical fitness and functional capacity tests evaluating static and dynamic balance, mobility, and flexibility, such as the chair-stand test and isokinetic chair	90.7
4. Which parameters sho?Id be incl?ded in the DXA body composition report?	For adults older than 20 years, report whole-body (including head) values of: Anthropometry: weight (kg), height (m), and BMI (kg/m2) Bone mass compartment? BMD (g/cm2), BMC (g), and Z-score (in SDs) Fat mass compartment: total fat mass (in kilograms), percentage of fat (in %), FMI (total fat mass/height2, in kg/m2), A/G ratio, and VAT (in g and cm3) Lean mass compartment: total lean mass (kg), ALM (kg), ALMI (adjusted by height [ALM/height2] and adjusted by bMi in patients over 65 years old [ALM/BMI])	98
5. What should be taken into account regarding quality control, accuracy, and least significant change (LSC)?	The quality control program should adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for system maintenance. The quality control should include: Periodic (at least once a week) phantom scans for any DXA system as an independent assessment of system calibration Plotting and reviewing of data from calibration and phantom scans Establishment and enforcement of corrective action thresholds that trigger a call for service The precision error supplied by the manufacturer should not be used Each DXA device should have its own in vivo precision error determined and LSC calculated for all body composition variables	99.7
6. What are the differences between normative data for the Brazilian compared with other populations?	Based on Brazilian normative database studies in adult men and women, the Brazilian population, compared with other populations, has some significant differences in body composition parameters, particularly regarding appendicular lean mass adjusted for height. Cutoff values of 7.77 kg/m2 and 5.62 kg/m2 (- 1 SD) are suggested for men and women. The combination of calf circumference (≤ 34 cm for males and ≤ 33 cm for females) and SARC-F into a modified index significantly improves the performance of SARC-F for screening sarcopenia	98
7. What is the application of body composition assessment in pediatrics?	Numerous conditions may potentially interfere with body compartment distribution (lean, fat, and bone mass), including exogenous and endogenous overweight and obesity, environmental and disease-related undernutrition, anorexia, chronic drug therapy (e.g., corticosteroids, chemotherapy), and chronic diseases (e.g., systemic inflammatory disorders, inborn errors of metabolism, muscular dystrophies, and endocrine, gastrointestinal, heart, and pulmonary diseases). The most frequently used parameter for estimating body composition in routine practice in pediatrics is the BMI Interpretation of pediatric DXA data may be challenging due to physiological changes in body composition during growth, particularly in the absence of Brazilian normative reference data for children and adolescents. Thus, the adoption of the US normative database (NHANES III) is recommended for pediatric assessments in Brazil	95.3
8. What is the clinical application of body composition assessment in patients infected with HIV?	Body composition assessment is recommended in patients infected with HIV for monitoring of body composition changes related to the disease and adverse effects associated with antiretroviral therapy, particularly abnormal body fat redistribution in the HIV-associated lipodystrophy spectrum The following parameters may be useful for assessing the presence of lipodystrophy in HIV-infected patients: limb-to-trunk fat ratio, trunk/leg fat ratio, and fat mass ratio	97.3
9. How should body composition be assessed in transgender individuals?	Consistent data on body composition assessment in transgender individuals are currently unavailable. Until studies with more consistent data are published, we recommended the calculation of T-scores using a uniform Caucasian (non-race adjusted) female normative database for all transgender individuals of all ethnic groups and all transgender individuals aged 50 years or older, regardless of hormonal status. Z-scores should be calculated using the normative database that matches the gender identity of the individual (or based on both male and female databases, if requested by the physician). In gender-nonbinary individuals, the normative database that matches the sex recorded at birth should be used	94.7
10. What is the role of DXA in veterinary medicine and zootechnics?	DXA can be used in veterinary medicine and animal sciences for measurement of whole-body composition in pigs, broilers, cats, dogs, and sheep, among others. Although normative data in these animals are scarce, this technique has a great potential in accurately evaluating the effectiveness of feeding interventions on the amount of lean and fat mass	98

Section I: Interpretation

1. What are the validated criteria for bone mass assessment?

The Official Position of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) recommends reports of DXA body composition in adults to include measurement of whole-body (including head) BMD and BMC [ ⁷ , ⁸ ]. However, these measurements are not used as isolated skeletal health markers nor as diagnostic of osteoporosis or low bone mass in adults [ ⁷ , ⁹ ]. Both the ISCD and our guidelines establish that the diagnostic criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) for densitometric osteoporosis only apply to the skeletal sites of the proximal femur (femoral neck and total hip), lumbar spine (L1–L4), and 33% radius. [ ⁷ - ⁹ ] The only exception is the use of total body less head (TBLH) bone mass Z-score values as a diagnostic criterion of low bone mass in pediatric patients (5–19 years of age), with an adopted cutoff value of − 2.0 standard deviations (SDs) of the mean value obtained from individuals of the same age [ ⁷ , ⁹ ]. The 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) reference data for total body BMC should be adopted when DXA is used for body composition assessment in children. The data comprise calculated Z-scores and percentiles for children as young as 8 years of age and adults aged up to 85 years, men and women, and Whites, Blacks, and Mexican Americans. Still, NHANES reference data are not available for many ethnic minorities. Also, more country-specific reference datasets should be developed [ ¹⁰ ].

In summary, reports of body composition assessed by DXA should include the following:

• ♦ BMC results (in grams), which should always be reported.

• ♦ BMD values (in grams/cm²) and Z-scores (SDs) should be reported for adults but without establishing a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis.

• ♦ TBLH and Z-scores should be reported in children and adolescents.

• ♦ The sentence “The diagnostic criteria proposed by the WHO are not applicable to whole-body DXA analyses.”

Statement 1

The WHO criteria for densitometric osteoporosis only apply to the skeletal sites of the proximal femur (femoral neck and total hip), lumbar spine (L1–L4), and 33% radius. The only exception is the use of total body less head (TBLH) bone mass Z-score values as a diagnostic criterion of low bone mass in pediatric patients, with an adopted cutoff value of − 2.0 standard deviations (SDs) of the mean value obtained from individuals of the same age. The NHANES III reference database for total body BMC should be adopted when DXA is used for body composition assessment in children.

Body composition DXA reports regarding bone mass should include:

• ♦ BMC results (in grams);

• ♦ BMD values (in g/cm²) and Z-scores (SDs) should be reported for adults, but without establishing a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis. For individuals with Z-score values below − 2.0 SD, the sentence “low bone mass for age” may be reported;

• ♦ TBLH and Z-scores should be reported in children and adolescents.

2. What are the criteria for assessing fat mass?

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of weight adjusted for height or length. In some circumstances, BMI values may reveal an individual’s excess weight, which is not always reflective of excessive fat, for example, in the case of heavily muscled persons. For this reason, DXA body composition has been recommended for assessing parameters including fat mass index (FMI), abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and android-to-gynoid (A/G) fat ratio.

• ♦ FMI This index evaluates the ratio of total body fat (in kilograms) to squared height (in square meters [ ¹¹ ]. FMI is advantageous over BMI since BMI may correlate poorly with body fat in some populations [ ¹² ]. In this sense, patients with increased lean mass may be falsely classified as overweight based on BMI but not on FMI. For calculation of FMI, 1999–2004 NHANES data are used [ ¹³ ]. The criteria for classifying body fat based on FMI are shown in Table 3 , with different cutoff values for men and women. Clinical applications for FMI have not been clearly established yet, and prospective studies are still needed to better evaluate and validate this method. Of note, consensuses on cutoff values for defining obesity categories using FMI are currently lacking [ ¹⁰ ].

• ♦ Estimated abdominal VAT visceral fat is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors including diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome [ ¹⁴ ] and is a predictor of coronary heart disease, according to a prospective European study [ ¹⁵ ]. Compared with subcutaneous fat, VAT is a better predictor of mortality [ ¹⁶ ]. Only a few DXA systems are able to measure VAT. This measurement is performed in an area 5-cm thick located 1 cm above the iliac crest, approximately at the level of the L4 vertebra, and is calculated as android fat minus subcutaneous fat. VAT measured by DXA correlates highly with visceral fat measured by CT [ ¹⁷ , ¹⁸ ], is associated with lower radiation exposure, and is highly accurate. In a cross-sectional study including healthy women, VAT correlated positively with glycemia levels and with the homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA; a method for assessing insulin resistance) and negatively with HDL-cholesterol [ ¹⁹ ]. Other studies have analyzed the association between VAT measured by DXA and cardiovascular risk parameters [ ²⁰ , ²¹ ]. A cross-sectional study including 2,317 US adults aged 18–74 years determined, based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, a VAT threshold of 126 cm² (76% sensitivity, 68% specificity) to identify individuals with two or more cardiometabolic risk factors [ ²² ]. Indeed, VAT may replace the A/G ratio in assessing cardiometabolic risk factors. Although population studies have established reference values for VAT [ ²³ - ²⁵ ], the values still need to be standardized, especially with prospective studies assessing cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiovascular outcomes [ ¹⁰ ].

• ♦ A/G fat ratio this ratio is analogous to the waist/ hip ratio and correlates with dyslipidemia in men and women, mortality in women, and risk of myocardial infarction [ ²⁶ , ²⁷ ]. The A/G fat ratio may be assessed with DXA. The android region comprises the area located between the ribs and the pelvis, with an upper demarcation at 20% of the distance between the iliac crest and the neck and a lower demarcation at the top of the pelvis. The gynoid region comprises the area located between the hip and the upper thighs, with an upper demarcation below the top of the iliac crest at a distance of 1.5 times that of the android height. The total height of the gynoid region is two times the height of the android region [ ²⁸ ]. A study analyzing 2005–2006 NHANES data has shown that the correlation with cardiometabolic risk factors was much stronger for the A/G percent fat ratio compared with the android percent fat, gynoid percent fat, or BMI [ ²⁹ ]. In contrast, another study showed that DXA-measured abdominal fat and A/G fat ratio were not superior to waist circumference or CT-measured intra-abdominal fat areas in detecting metabolic risk factors in obese women [ ³⁰ ]. The A/G ratio varies among individuals of different ethnicities [ ³¹ ].

Table 3
Classification of body fat based on the fat mass index (FMI, kg/m²) for men and women [ ¹⁰ , ¹³ ]

Category	Men	Women
Severe fat deficit	< 2	< 3.5
Moderate fat deficit	2 to < 2.3	3.5 to < 4
Mild fat deficit	2.3 to < 3	4 to < 5
Normal	3-6	5-9
Excess fat	> 6 to 9	> 9 to 13
Obese class I	>9 to 12	> 13 to 17
Obese class II	> 12 to 15	> 17 to 21
Obese class III	> 15	> 21

Statement 2

Recommendations for assessment of fat mass include the fat mass index (FMI; in kg/m²), interpreted according to the NHANES III cutoff values, the estimated abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT; in g/cm³ if assessed with a GE-Lunar device or g/cm² if assessed with a Hologic device), and the android-to-gynoid (A/G) fat ratio.

3. What are the validated criteria for assessing lean mass?

Several validated criteria are available for assessing lean mass using DXA, e.g., the Baumgartner criteria, the Newman criteria, and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Sarcopenia Project criteria. However, the accuracy of DXA-measured lean mass is still questionable [ ³² , ³³ ]. Appendicular lean mass (ALM), a sum of lean mass values in the upper and lower limbs, has shown a consistent correlation with muscle mass throughout life [ ³⁴ ]. The sections below include a discussion about the criteria defining sarcopenia.

(a) Baumgartner criteria

Baumgartner et al. [ ³⁵ ] were pioneers in proposing a method to identify low ALM using DXA. Based on the fact that absolute lean mass correlates strongly with height, the authors calculated the relative muscle mass (or ALM index [ALMI]) as ALM (in kg) divided by the squared height (in square meters, m²), similarly to using BMI to estimate weight excess. The authors defined low muscle mass/sarcopenia as an ALMI ≥ 2 SDs below the sex-specific mean values from the Rosetta Study, a reference population of 18–40-year-old adults. Therefore, according to Baumgartner et al. [ ³⁵ ], the cutoff values for sarcopenia were ALMI < 7.26 kg/m² in men and < 5.45 kg/ m² in women. Further analysis of the elderly population included in the cross-sectional study by Baumgartner et al. [ ³⁵ ] found that the prevalence of low muscle mass/ sarcopenia increased with age and was associated with higher degrees of self-reported physical disability. Since reference values for low ALM in young Black and White adults have not been established, recent consensuses recommend the definition of low ALM as the finding of lean mass value below the 20th percentile of distribution of values for healthy young adults, with some authors considering the cutoff values of ≤ 7.23 kg/m² in men and ≤ 5.67 kg/m² in women [ ³⁶ , ³⁷ ]. Also, studies have shown significant differences in the prevalence of low lean mass in Asian compared with White populations when the same definition was used, highlighting the importance of reference values based on population-specific data [ ¹⁰ ].

(b) Newman criteria

The Baumgartner criteria appear to underestimate the prevalence of sarcopenia in several elderly populations [ ³⁶ - ⁴⁰ ], including community-dwelling older women in Brazil [ ⁴⁰ ]. This is because the formula proposed by Baumgartner et al. (ALM/squared height) is unable to adequately identify sarcopenia in overweight and obese individuals. Lean mass is generally greater in obese compared with lean individuals because both lean mass and fat mass increase with weight gain, usually at an approximate proportion of 1:4 [ ⁴¹ ]. Due to the interrelation between lean mass and fat mass, obese individuals may not be considered sarcopenic, but their muscle mass may be inadequate for their body size and physical performance [ ³⁶ ]. Therefore, Newman et al. proposed ALM to be adjusted for both height and total fat mass. The authors’ methodology includes a statistical linear regression model to characterize the association between ALM and height (in meters) and fat mass (in kilograms). Linear regression residuals are used to identify individuals whose ALM value (obtained with DXA) is below the expected value (obtained from the equation resulting from the model) for a given amount of fat mass. The ALM value resulting from the equation (expected muscle mass) must be subtracted from the ALM value obtained by DXA (actual muscle mass), resulting in the ALM residual. Thus, positive residuals indicate adequate muscle mass, while negative residuals indicate relative sarcopenia [ ³⁶ ]. Most studies adopting this classification used the 20th percentile of the residuals distribution as a cutoff value for sarcopenia, since the mean values of lean mass and fat mass in younger populations are not considered as reference values [ ⁴⁰ , ⁴² ]. This approach correlates with functional limitation and inflammation markers in older individuals [ ⁴³ ].

The prevalence of low lean mass/sarcopenia is generally higher when assessed using the Newman criteria compared with the Baumgartner criteria, especially in overweight/obese populations. For example, in community-dwelling women over the age of 65 years in Brazil, the prevalence of low lean mass was 3% according to the Baumgartner criteria and 19% according to the Newman criteria, in which lean mass is adjusted for body fat [ ⁴⁰ ].

The Newman criteria are relevant in epidemiology but have limited applicability to individual cases in clinical practice since they rely on the construction of a linear regression model specific to each population analyzed. Thus, the equation for calculating the expected ALM obtained from the regression model and, consequently, the residuals (cutoff values for definition of sarcopenia) vary according to the study population. For example, in the São Paulo Aging Health (SPAH) study, the equations obtained for calculating the expected ALM for elderly individuals in Brazil according to sex were as follows: [ ⁴⁰ ]

$$\begin{array}{c}\text{Women}:\text{ALM}(\text{kg})=-14.51+17.27\\ \times \text{height}(\text{m})+0.20\\ \times \text{fat mass}(\text{kg})\end{array}$$

$$\begin{array}{c}\text{Men}:\text{ALM}(\text{kg})=-20.673+22.478\\ \times \text{height}(\text{m})+0.177\\ \times \text{fat mass}(\text{kg})\end{array}$$

The residuals (cutoff values below which an individual is considered sarcopenic) are − 1.45 in women and − 2.06 in men [ ⁴⁰ , ⁴² ].

(c) Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria

Both the Newman and Baumgartner criteria are based exclusively on the statistical distribution of lean mass within a single population [ ³⁵ , ³⁶ ]. However, the correlation of lean mass with muscle strength and function, which are directly linked to physical performance, remains unclear. Additionally, none of these criteria have been validated on their ability to predict relevant clinical outcomes, such as immobility, fractures, and mortality.

The FNIH has compiled and analyzed longitudinal data from different studies to develop definitions of low lean mass and muscle weakness [ ⁴⁴ – ⁴⁸ ]. The project was based on the clinical paradigm of differential diagnosis among physically limited individuals because of weakness and individuals who are weak from having low muscle mass. The project sought to determine the degree of muscle mass that contributes to muscle weakness (clinically relevant low lean mass). Gathering data from eight longitudinal cohort studies and six clinical trials using a regression model (classification and regression trees [CART]), the project defined specific cutoff values for manual handgrip strength, which is associated with lower functional capacity defined by gait speed < 0.8 m/s, and for ALM, measured by DXA, which in turn is associated with handgrip strength. Since sensitivity analyses also indicated that obesity influences the relationship between lean mass and muscle strength, the cutoff values were further adjusted for BMI.

Thus, clinically relevant cutoff values for low ALM adjusted for BMI (ALM [in kg] divided by BMI in [kg/ m²]) for elderly individuals according to sex are: < 0.512 for women and < 0.789 for men [ ⁴⁶ ]. These are the first criteria based on a clinically relevant outcome (gait speed), which is directly related to muscle dysfunction, and the most comprehensive criteria in terms of populations, since they derive from multiple cohorts of community-dwelling elderly individuals from different populations worldwide [ ⁴⁴ – ⁴⁸ ].

(d) Appendicular lean mass adjusted for fat mass index

Since adjusting lean mass values for adiposity appears to improve the association of lean mass with physical function, the NHANES developed a method to define adiposity-adjusted low lean mass, i.e., the adipose mass index, defined as total body fat mass (in kilograms) divided by squared height (in square meters) [ ⁴⁹ ]. Data from whole-body DXA scanning of 14,850 adults (20–85 years) comprised a database that generated specific SDs for ALMI (kg/m²) and FMI (kg/m²) according to sex and race (Z-score) and relative to age (T-score relative to the age of 25 years). Sarcopenia was defined as a T-score below − 2.0 and low lean mass for age as a Z-score below − 1.0. The results of this study reinforce the importance of adjusting lean mass for body fat in addition to height, as approximately twice more individuals are categorized as sarcopenic based on FMI-adjusted lean mass compared with the unadjusted criteria.

(e) Physical parameters

Considering that the currently validated criteria for defining low lean mass (Baumgartner, FNIH, and Newman) only identify an individual as having low lean mass or lean mass within normal values and are limited in analyzing sarcopenia or cachexia, we provide a brief comment regarding the main physical tests used to assess muscle strength and performance in clinical practice.

Lean mass can also be assessed using muscle strength parameters. Muscle mass and strength are known to decline with aging [ ⁵⁰ ], especially after the age of 40 years, with a 5% decline at each decade after that. After 40 years, the lean mass assessment becomes even more important, considering that low lean mass is an important risk factor for sarcopenia and bone mass loss [ ⁵¹ ]. The most affected muscles are the knee extensors and hip flexors, which are fundamental for walking and balance maintenance. A decline in these muscles’ function is accompanied by an increased rate of falls and their consequences (e.g., fractures), especially in the elderly population [ ⁵² , ⁵³ ]. Additionally, muscle strength assessed by the handgrip test correlates strongly with DXA-assessed BMD [ ⁵⁴ ].

Muscle strength in the trunk and upper and lower limbs can be measured by dynamometry. Dynamometers are instruments that measure isometric muscle strength in the upper limbs (handgrip), trunk (trunk extensors), and lower limbs (hip flexors and knee extensors). Muscle strength can also be measured by indirect and dynamic physical fitness and functional capacity tests evaluating static and dynamic balance, mobility, and flexibility [ ⁵⁵ – ⁵⁷ ]. These tests identify indirect parameters of muscle strength, such as the chair-stand test, which evaluates lower limb strength and dynamic balance.

The Cybex (or isokinetic chair) can also be used to assess lean mass. This method measures muscle strength and variables such as muscle power and resistance, which can be analyzed for each muscle group alone with fixed speed and variable resistance. Disadvantages of the isokinetic chair include high cost and limited availability in clinical practice. Thus, dynamometers are more advantageous than Cybex since they are portable, reliable, less expensive, and easy to access and handle [ ⁵⁸ ].

The long and short versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) (simplified version) is widely used in Brazil and other countries for assessing physical activity level, measured as a report of the time spent on activities of moderate and vigorous intensity for at least 10 continuous minutes in one usual week. The questionnaire considers physical activities related to work, household chores, transportation, exercise, sports, leisure, family care, and time spent seated [ ⁵⁹ ].

Table 4 shows the main physical fitness tests that can be performed, including the muscle groups evaluated and the tests’ objectives, methodology, and results [ ⁶⁰ , ⁶¹ ].

Table 4
Tests for evaluation of muscle and physical performance

Test name: assessments	Device	Execution	Results (units of measure) 1	Images
Handgrip test handgrip strength [ 54 ]	Takei dynamometer (GRIP-THE-Takei Physical Fitness Test T.K.K.5001, Japan)	Arms parallel to the body. While standing, the subject holds the dynamometer on one hand, flexing the joints of the proximal phalanges of the second and fifth metacarpals. Upon the command ofwAttention!! Go!!” from the observer, the individual applies force against the bar of the dynamometer with the fingers, hand palms, and thumb base, trying to pull the bar up with maximum isometric strength for 5 s. Two movements are recorded for each hand	Best measured strength value from each hand (in kilograms)
Trunk extension trunk muscle strength [ 57 - 59 ]	Lafayette Manual Muscle Test System, Model 01163. Lafayette Instrument, IN, USA	Subject in the prone position on an elevated examination table, chin beyond the limit of the table to avoid improper cervical spine positioning, arms extended alongside the body, and palms of the hands parallel to the hips. The observer places the dynamometer in the midline of the eighth thoracic vertebra between the inferior angle of both scapulae. Upon command, the subject performs maximum trunk extension (attempting to raise the chest from the table) for 5 s, trying to “push” the observer’s hand. The observer should not offer resistance to the subject’s movement. The test is performed 3 times	Peak strength value 5 s after the subject pushes against the device. The result obtained is the average of the 3 attempts (in kilograms)
Hip flexor strength pelvitrochanteric muscle strength [ 57 - 59 ]	Lafayette Manual Muscle Test System, Model 01163. Lafayette Instrument, IN, USA	Subject seating on a chair with lumbar support, hip and knees flexed at 90°, and both hands crossed in front of the body. The observer positions the device perpendicular to the thigh, 5 cm above the patella’s base, while an assistant stabilizes the subject’s shoulders to ensure stable movement and avoid lateral or anteroposterior compensations. After a command to start, the subject performs hip flexion by raising the knee from the chair. The test is performed 3 times	Peak strength value 5 s after the subject pushes against the device. The final result is an average of the 3 measurements (in kilograms)
Knee extensor strength quadriceps strength [ 57 - 59 ]	Lafayette Manual Muscle Test System, Model 01163. Lafayette Instrument, IN, USA	Subject seating on a chair with lumbar support, hip and knees flexed at 90°, and arms crossed in front of the chest to avoid touching the side of the chair. The dynamometer is positioned 5 cm above a medial point between the medial and lateral ankle malleoli. The observer voices a command to start the test, and the subject extends the knee at maximum effort against resistance by the dynamometer for 5 s. The test is performed 3 times	Peak strength value 5 s after the subject pushes against the device. The final result is an average of the 3 measurements (in kilograms)
Elbow flexion strength upper limb strength [ 54 , 55 ]	Stopwatch and dumbbell (2 kg for women and 4 kg for men)	Subject seated on a chair, with back straight against the back of the chair and feet flat on the floor, holds the dumbbell on his or her side with the hand closed. The test begins with the subject’s arm extended downwards alongside the chair and perpendicular to the floor. At the command of “Attention!! Now!!,” the subject rotates the palm of the hand upwards while flexing the arm until completing the entire range of movement, then returns to the initial position with the elbow fully extended. Upon returning to the initial position, the subject must hold the dumbbell with a closed hand	Total number of movements performed in 30 s (in number of maximum repetitions)
Chair to stand lower limb strength, dynamic balance [ 54 , 55 ]	Stopwatch and armless chair	Subject seated on a chair, back straight up, feet flat on the floor, and arms crossed in front of the chest. Upon command, the subject stands up fully and then returns to the initial seated position	Total number of movements performed in 30 s (in number of maximum repetitions)
Stationary march gait, cardiorespiratory endurance, general motor coordination, dynamic balance, and lower limb strength [ 54 , 55 ]	Stopwatch and measuring tape	While the subject is standing, the observer measures with a measuring tape the distance between the subject’s anterosuperior iliac crest and patella’s base.The midpoint ?f this measurement is marked (on a wall, with the observer holding up his/her hand, or with a rope tied across two chairs) and the subject is instructed to elevate the knees to the marked height while walking in place. The observer times the executions with a stopwatch, counting the number of times that the subject’s right foot touches the floor	Greatest number of times in 2 min that the foot touches the floor after the knee elevation (in number of maximum repetitions)
Timed up and go functional mobility [ 60 ]	Stopwatch and armless chair	Subject seated on a chair with back supported against the chair. Upon the command of “Attention!! Go!!! from the observer, the subject stands up and walks 3 m up to a predetermined spot marked on the floor. The subject turns around, walks back to the chair, and sits again with the back supported against the chair.The subject should walk at maximum speed but without running. The time is recorded using a stopwatch and an interval of 1 min is given between executions	Shortest duration of two executions (in seconds)
Single-leg stance (Flamingo) static balance [ 54 , 55 ]	Stopwatch	Subject standing upright, with hands on the hips, is instructed to look at a fixed point at a wall (2 m ahead) and stand on one leg by flexing back the opposite leg to the level of the knee, and attempting to maintain the position for at least 30 s. The observer, on the subject’s side, starts the stopwatch when the subject’s foot is raised from the floor and stops it as soon as the foot touches the floor again, even if before 30 s. The test is performed 3 times	Longer duration or completed test (in
Five times chair to stand reaction time, lower limb strength, dynamic balance, risk of falls [61]	Stopwatch, armless chair	Subject seated on a chair, back straight against the back of the chair, and arms crossed in front of the chest. Upon the command “Attention!! Now!!,” the subject must stand up and sit 5 times as fast as possible. The test is performed 2 times	Shortest duration of the two executions (in seconds)
Gait speed functional mobility, dynamic balance, strength [ 55 ]	Stopwatch, ground demarcation of a 3.33-m x 33.3-cm rectangle	Subject standing, at command, must walk on the demarcated rectangle. In the first part of the test, must walk at a normal speed, and in the second part, must walk quickly. Each test is performed 3 times at each stage	Shortest duration of the three executions (in seconds)
Conefesf functional mobility, muscle strength, dynamic balance [ 55 ]	Stopwatch, chair, ground demarcation with a 6-m x 4-m rectangle, two cones positioned on a straight line 3 m in front of a chair	Subject seated on the chair with supported back, upon command from the observer the subject stands up and walks swiftly, going around the first cone, and returns to sit on the chair with feet on the floor. The subject stands up again and walks in a straight line to go around the other cone, and returns to the chair. The execution is done twice with a 1-min break	Shortest duration of the two executions (in seconds)
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)timed test evaluating balance, walking speed, and lower limb strength (5-time chair stand test) [ 62 ]	Stopwatch, armless chair	The balance test is evaluated in 3 positions for 10 s: two feet together, one foot slightly in front of the other (semi-tandem), and one foot in front of the other (tandem). In all positions, the subject is standing with eyes open. For the walking test, the subject walks 400 m (marked on the floor with a tape) at maximum speed. For the chair stand test, the subject sits on a chair without back support and stands up 5 times with the arms crossed in front of the chest	Each test receives its own score. For the balance test, the individual receives a score of 1 if able to stay in position for 10 s and a score of 0 if unable to stay in position. For the test of the third position of the feet (tandem), the individual receives a score of 1 if able to stay in position for 3–9.9 s, a score of 2 if able to stay in position for 10 s, and 0 if unable to stay in position. For the gait speed test, the subject receives a score between 1 and 4 depending on the reached speed: the greater the speed, the higher the score. For the chair stand test, the subject receives a score between 1 and 4 depending on the time taken to stand up: the lower the time, the greater the score; the score is 0 if the subject is unable to perform the test
400-m walk gait, cardiovascular endurance (maximum V02 consumption), mortality prediction [ 57 ]	Space for a 400-m walk	Subject standing, must complete 20 laps of 20 m each, walking as fast as possible. Resting is allowed twice during the test	Total walking duration and maximum V02 consumption (calculated using tables and formulas) in the last 10 s. Unit of measure: min/sec
6-min walk gait, cardiovascular endurance [ 55 ]	Space of about 50m	Subject standing, must walk as fast as possible (without running) during 6 min a 45.72-m rectangular course demarcated at every 4.57 m	Distance walked (in meters)

These tests and questionnaires can draw a physical fitness profile of the patients in terms of muscle strength, functional mobility, and static and dynamic balance. They also identify the patients as sedentary or physically active and assess their cardiovascular fitness and risk of falls for planning physical training and treatment strategies.

3.1. Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia, a syndrome closely related to aging, is characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that increases the risk of adverse outcomes, including falls and fractures, physical disability and mobility disorders, cardiorespiratory disease, cognitive impairment, loss of quality of life and independence, and death [ ⁶² , ⁶³ ]. Physical performance evaluation and qualitative assessment are required for a complete diagnosis of sarcopenia. In the absence of this qualitative evaluation, the DXA report should be limited to mentioning the occurrence of “low muscle mass” without establishing a diagnosis of sarcopenia [ ¹⁰ ].

The most widely accepted consensus on the definition of sarcopenia is by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), first published in 2010 and updated in 2019 (EWGSOP2) [ ⁶² , ⁶³ ]. Muscle strength is the most reliable measure of muscle function, and the EWGSOP2 adopts low muscle strength as the primary parameter of sarcopenia. The occurrence of sarcopenia is likely when low muscle strength is detected, and the diagnosis is confirmed in the presence of low muscle quality or quantity. When low muscle strength, low muscle quality or quantity, and low physical performance are all detected, sarcopenia is considered severe [ ⁶² ]. Of note, muscle strength is not dependent on muscle mass alone, and the relationship between strength and muscle mass is not linear [ ⁶⁴ ]. Thus, the definition of sarcopenia comprises several factors, including hormonal, inflammatory, biochemical, nutritional, and functional parameters considered in terms of muscle mass quantity and quality.

The first step of the EWGSOP2 algorithm for case finding is the 5-item SARC-F questionnaire, a self-reported screening test for sarcopenia. The SARC-F is a convenient and inexpensive method for screening sarcopenia and has a low-to-moderate sensitivity and a very high specificity to predict low muscle strength ( Table 5 ) [ ⁶² , ⁶⁵ , ⁶⁶ ]. The second step of the algorithm is to assess muscle strength through handgrip strength and compare the results with data from reference populations [ ⁶² , ⁶⁷ ]. If the handgrip strength assessment is not feasible due to hand disability, the chair-stand test can be used as a proxy to assess leg (quadriceps) muscle strength [ ⁶² ]. The next step is to confirm the diagnosis of sarcopenia by measuring muscle mass, preferably by DXA, the recommended method in clinical practice. According to the EWGSOP2, cutoff values for low muscle mass assessed by CT and MRI have not been well defined yet. The cutoff values for DXA-assessed ALMI adjusted for squared height are < 7.0 kg/m² in men and < 5.5 kg/m² in women [ ⁶² ].

Table 5
SARC-F questionnaire

Component	Question	Scoring
Strength	How much difficulty do you have in lifting and carrying 4.5 kg?	None = 0 Some = 1 A lot or unable = 2
Assistance in walking	How much difficulty do you have walking across a room?	None = 0 Some = 1 A lot, use aids, or unable = 2
Rise from a chair	How much difficulty do you have transferring from a chair or bed?	None = 0 Some = 1 A lot or unable without help = 2
Climb stairs	How much difficulty do you have climbing 10 flights of stairs?	None = 0 Some = 1 A lot or unable = 2
Falls	How many times have you fallen in the past year?	None = 0 1-3 falls = 1 ≥ 4 falls = 2

• A score ≥ 4 is suggestive of sarcopenia

Assessment of sarcopenia severity should include physical performance evaluation using the timed up and go (TUG) test or, preferably, the gait speed test (speed values ≤ 0.8 m/s identify a compromised gait speed). Other tests that can also assess sarcopenia severity are the 400-m walk test and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) [ ⁶² ].

More recently, the FNIH Sarcopenia Project defined normative cutoff values for handgrip strength in men and women older than 65 years ( Table 6 ) [ ⁴⁴ , ⁴⁵ ].

Table 6
Normative cutoff values for handgrip strength according to the FNIH Sarcopenia Project

Handgrip strength (kg)	Normal	Intermediate	Weak
Men	≥ 32	26-31.9	< 26
Women	≥ 20	16-19.9	< 16

According to the Sarcopenia Definition and Outcomes Consortium, DXA-assessed lean mass measurements should not be included in the definition of sarcopenia as they are not good predictors of self-reported mobility limitations and other health-related outcomes such as falls, hip fracture, and mortality [ ⁶⁸ ].

Still lacking a clear definition, sarcopenic obesity is a distinct condition marked by fat infiltration of muscle and associated with decreased physical function and increased risk of mortality and physical disability [ ⁶² ].

3.2. Cachexia

Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome associated with an underlying disease and characterized by loss of muscle with or without loss of fat mass. Cachexia is associated with cancer, congestive cardiomyopathy, end-stage renal disease, and other diseases, and is often associated with inflammation, insulin resistance, anorexia, and muscle proteolysis [ ⁶⁹ ]. Thus, most individuals with cachexia also have sarcopenia, while most individuals with sarcopenia may not have cachexia. Sarcopenia is one of the elements of the definition proposed for cachexia [ ⁶⁹ ]. According to the Cachexia Consensus Working Group, after excluding some conditions such as starvation, mal-absorption, major depression, lipoatrophy, hyperthyroidism, and age-related muscle loss, cachexia is diagnosed in adults by weight loss ≥ 5% (corrected for fluid retention) over ≤ 12 months (or BMI < 20 kg/m², if undocumented weight loss) in the presence of underlying illness, plus three of the following criteria: [ ⁶⁹ ].

• ♦ Decreased muscle strength (lowest tertile).

• ♦ Fatigue.

• ♦ Anorexia (total caloric intake < 20 kcal/kg of body weight/day, < 70% of the usual food intake), or lack of appetite.

• ♦ Low FFM index.

• ♦ Abnormal biochemical tests: anemia (< 12 g/dL), low serum albumin (< 3.2 g/dL), and increased inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein > 5.0 mg/L or inter-leukin-6 > 4.0 pg/mL).

A cachexia score (CASCO) has been designed for cancer patients, but this subject is outside of the scope of the present document [ ⁷⁰ ].

Statement 3

Several validated criteria are available for assessing appendicular lean mass using DXA, including the Baumgartner criteria, the Newman criteria, and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Sarcopenia Project criteria.

Lean mass can also be assessed using muscle strength parameters, including dynamometry and indirect and dynamic physical fitness and functional capacity tests evaluating static and dynamic balance, mobility, and flexibility, such as the chair-stand test and isokinetic chair.

Section II: Reporting

4. Which parameters should be included in the DXA body composition report?

For adults older than 20 years, report whole-body (including head) values of:

• ♦ Anthropometry weight (kg), height (m), and BMI (kg/ m²).

• ♦ Bone mass compartment BMD (g/cm²), BMC (g), and Z-score (in SDs).

• ♦ Fat mass compartment total fat mass (in kilograms), percentage of fat (in %), FMI (total fat mass/height², in kg/m²), A/G ratio, and VAT (in g and cm³).

• ♦ Lean mass compartment total lean mass (kg), ALM (kg), ALMI (adjusted by height [ALM/height²] and adjusted by BMI in patients over 65 years old [ALM/ BMI]); should be cited in all reports [ ¹⁰ , ⁴⁶ ].

Figure 1 shows a DXA report proposed by ABRASSO.

Fig. 1
Proposed body composition report by ABRASSO

Statement 4

For adults older than 20 years, report whole-body (including head) values of:

• ♦ Anthropometry weight (kg), height (m), and BMI (kg/ m²).

• ♦ Bone mass compartment BMD (g/cm²), BMC (g), and Z-score (in SDs).

• ♦ Fat mass compartment total fat mass (in kilograms), percentage of fat (in %), FMI (total fat mass/height², in kg/m²), A/G ratio, and VAT (in g and cm³).

• ♦ Lean mass compartment total lean mass (kg), ALM (kg), ALMI (adjusted by height [ALM/height²] and adjusted by BMI in patients over 65 years old [ALM/ BMI]).

5. What should be taken into account regarding quality control, accuracy, and least significant change (LSC)?

The quality control program should adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for system maintenance. According to the ISCD recommendations, quality control should include: [ ⁷¹ ].

• ♦ Periodic (at least once a week) phantom scans for any DXA system as an independent assessment of system calibration.

• ♦ Plotting and reviewing of data from calibration and phantom scans.

• ♦ Establishment and enforcement of corrective action thresholds that trigger a call for service.

About precision, ISCD recommends that:

• ♦ The precision error supplied by the manufacturer should not be used.

• ♦ Each DXA device should have its own precision error determined and LSC calculated. The LSC is calculated the same way as done for BMD sites according to ISCD protocol: 15 patients three times, or 30 patients two times, repositioning the patient after each scan, calculate the root mean square standard deviation (RMS-SD) for the group and finally calculate the LSC with 95% confidence intervals for the group. A change is considered significant when the difference between the previous and the new values of total fat mass and total lean mass is above the LSC.

• ♦ The technician should perform an in vivo precision assessment for all body composition values of interest using patients representative of the population of patients from the clinic. This procedure should be repeated when the technician’s level changes. The minimum acceptable precision values for an individual technician are 3%, 2%, and 2% for total fat mass, total lean mass, and percent fat mass, respectively. If more than one technician works on the same DXA device, an average precision error combining data from the entire team should be used to establish precision error and LSC for the facility, providing the precision error for each technician is within a pre-established range of acceptable performance.

• ♦ The precision assessment should be repeated when a new DXA system is installed, and cross-calibration should be done by a technician by performing 10 phantom scans with repositioning, before and after a hardware change. If a difference greater than 2% in the mean fat mass, percent fat mass, or lean mass is observed, the manufacturer should be contacted for service [ ⁷¹ ].

The imprecision of body composition measurements, especially in subregions, can be much larger and more variable than for regional BMD scans. Precision may vary according to device and scan mode, subregion and compartment, body habitus, and age. Caution is advised when considering soft tissue results from subregions of whole-body scans. In general, lean mass precision is better than fat mass precision. A trend has been observed for greater precision for recent models of Hologic and GE-Lunar systems [ ²⁸ ].

Although body composition phantoms are part of any body composition teaching course, they were not completely addressed in this manuscript because they are unavailable in most centers. The procedure of quality control in bone mass studies follows a schedule set by the equipment manufacturer and uses either phantoms with density similar to lean and fat mass (GE-Lunar) or an internal calibration system through lean and fat tissue equivalents (Hologic).

Statement 5

The quality control program should adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for system maintenance. The quality control should include:

• ♦ Periodic (at least once a week) phantom scans for any DXA system as an independent assessment of system calibration.

• ♦ Plotting and reviewing of data from calibration and phantom scans.

• ♦ Establishment and enforcement of corrective action thresholds that trigger a call for service.

• ♦ The precision error supplied by the manufacturer should not be used.

• ♦ Each DXA device should have its own in vivo precision error determined and LSC calculated for all body composition variables.

6. What are the differences between normative data for the Brazilian compared with other populations?

There is currently a lack of normative data regarding body composition assessed by DXA for the Brazilian population or comparing such data with those from other populations. Data from a few Brazilian studies (Brazilian Osteoporosis Study [BRAZOS] and from the Brazilian Institute of Geographic and Statistics [ Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística , IBGE]) [ ⁷² , ⁷³ ] and international studies [ ⁷⁴ , ⁷⁵ ] have reported a similar increment of overweight and obesity rates defined by BMI categories.

A Brazilian study conducted by Sousa et al. evaluated body composition data of 500 women older than 20 years (245 of whom were premenopausal) with BMI between 18.5 and 34.9 kg/m² using DXA (GE-Lunar) and reported a bimodal variation for body fat, with increasing values until the age of 50–59 years followed by a reduction to the lowest levels at the age of 80 and above. The authors also reported that FMI was consistently higher in African American and Hispanic American women compared with Brazilian women, and that ALMI (ALM/height², Baumgartner criteria) was consistently lower in women in Brazil compared with those in the US, regardless of age or ethnicity. Lean body mass showed minor deterioration and decreased from the ages of 50–59 years onward, reaching the lowest values in older (≥ 80 years) women [ ⁷⁶ ].

In another Brazilian study, Ushida et al. assessed 403 men older than 20 years and found that the distribution of body composition assessed by DXA (GE-Lunar System) and adjusted to BMI differed between the study population and other ethnic groups [ ⁷⁷ ]. Compared with the NHANES III data assessed with DXA Hologic [ ¹³ ], fat and lean mass index tended to be lower in men in Brazil compared with those in North America. When the authors used NHANES III DXA data converted from Hologic to Lunar-GE [ ⁷⁸ ], the values between the populations remained different for fat mass, especially in older age groups, but became similar regarding lean mass [ ⁷⁷ ]. The authors reported FMI values similar to those for the US population (3–6 kg/ m²) as normative for men in Brazil [ ⁷⁷ ]. However, the cutoff value for ALMI recommended by Baumgartner et al. [ ³⁵ ] was higher than that reported in the Brazilian study (7.26 kg/m² for individuals aged 20–29 years and 6.6 kg/m² for normal BMI).

Carvalho et al. evaluated 689 adults aged 20–59 years in Brazil using DXA (GE-Lunar) to establish percentile curves for measures and indices of body composition by age and sex. The cutoff values for ALMI, derived from 204 men and 221 women aged 20–39 years and considering an SD of − 2.0, were 6.34 kg/m² and 4.45 kg/m², respectively. [ ⁷⁹ ].

Barbosa-Silva et al., in turn, adopted a − 1 SD cutoff value relative to a reference young population to determine low ALMI in elderly individuals, different than the EWGSOP recommendation. The mean ± SD values of ALMI in young adults obtained by DXA in a follow-up study conducted in 2012 (when the participants were 30 years old) were 8.76 ± 0.99 and 6.44 ± 0.82 kg/m² for men and women, respectively. Based on that, cutoff values of 7.77 kg/m² and 5.62 kg/m² (− 1 SD) were determined for men and women, respectively. Barbosa-Silva et al. also proposed a combination of calf circumference (≤ 34 cm for males and ≤ 33 cm for females) and SARCF into a modified index that significantly improved the performance of SARC-F for screening sarcopenia [ ⁶⁶ , ⁸⁰ , ⁸¹ ].

Machado et al. followed up 433 community-dwelling women (mean age 72.8 ± 4.7 years) and found 28 incident nonspinal osteoporotic fractures during a mean period of 4.3 ± 0.8 years. After adjustments for age, race, previous fractures, and BMD, the authors found a significant association between the participants’ VAT (mass, area, volume) and the incidence of nonspinal fractures among nonobese elderly women, suggesting a potential negative effect of visceral adiposity on bone health in this particular group [ ⁸² ].

Additional population studies including functional analyses are still needed to define cutoff thresholds for sarcopenia and low lean mass in the Brazilian population.

Statement 6

Based on Brazilian normative database studies in adult men and women, the Brazilian population, compared with other populations, has some significant differences in body composition parameters, particularly regarding appendicular lean mass adjusted for height. Cutoff values of 7.77 kg/m² and 5.62 kg/m² (− 1 SD) are suggested for men and women. The combination of calf circumference (≤ 34 cm for males and ≤ 33 cm for females) and SARC-F into a modified index significantly improves the performance of SARC-F for screening sarcopenia.

Section III: Special situations

7. What is the application of body composition assessment in pediatrics?

In pediatrics, body composition assessment is important in clinical practice and research settings both as a routine follow-up and in specific diseases. Numerous conditions may potentially interfere with body compartment distribution (lean, fat, and bone mass), including exogenous and endogenous overweight and obesity, environmental and disease-related undernutrition, anorexia, chronic drug therapy (e.g., corticosteroids, chemotherapy), and chronic diseases (e.g., systemic inflammatory disorders, inborn errors of metabolism, muscular dystrophies, and endocrine, gastrointestinal, heart, and pulmonary diseases).

The most frequently used parameter for estimating body composition in routine practice in pediatrics is BMI. However, this index has some limitations, for example, it is unable to identify the percentage of distribution of each body compartment. In some clinical conditions, it is desirable to differentiate and quantify the different body compartments for diagnostic purposes, define therapeutic interventions, or evaluate the impact of a procedure on the overall health of children and adolescents [ ⁸³ , ⁸⁴ ]. For instance, it is important to evaluate the extension of fat mass loss in lipodystrophy syndromes. On the other side, greater BMI may signal excessive weight that may not necessarily result from excess fat, e.g., a heavily muscular adolescent. In other scenarios, differentiating sub-cutaneous from VAT in a pediatric patient with obesity leads to a more emphatic approach to prevent the onset of cardiometabolic disorders.

Other anthropometric measurements, including skin-folds, waist-hip ratio, and abdominal, arm and neck circumferences, are technically easy to perform but are highly observer-dependent and may also present limitations in interpretation [ ⁸⁵ ].

Body composition assessment in pediatrics can also be performed by other methods, including DXA, CT, MRI, plethysmography, and BIA, as done in other stages of life. The advantages and limitations of each method described in previous sessions also apply to the pediatric population [ ⁸⁶ , ⁸⁷ ].

DXA is considered the method of choice for quantitative assessment of body composition in pediatrics due to precision, accuracy, reproducibility, low radiation doses (1–5 μSv), accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and practicability. However, this method has considerable limitations, including age (the child must be older than 2–5 years, depending on the densitometer software), lack of integrative sex/age/pubertal stage and population-specific normative data, and lower precision and accuracy for VAT assessment [ ¹ ].

Interpretation of pediatric DXA data may be challenging due to physiological changes in body composition during growth. This is especially critical during adolescence, when each pubertal stage has different patterns of lean, fat, and bone mass distribution and acquisition, associated not only with chronological age, but also dependent on bone age and hormonal and metabolic status [ ⁸⁸ , ⁸⁹ ].

Establishing reference data for specific populations is fundamental for an accurate analysis of DXA-acquired body composition, considering the impact of ethnicity, diet, sex, and pubertal stage on body compartment profile and distribution [ ⁹⁰ , ⁹¹ ]. However, the number of available regional/country reference data on the quantification of pediatric body composition by DXA is limited worldwide; among the few data available for children and adolescents are those from the US [ ⁸⁴ ], Chile [ ⁹² ], Argentina [ ⁹³ ], UK [ ⁹⁴ ], China [ ⁹⁵ ], and India [ ⁹⁶ ].

The most robust pediatric DXA database currently available is from the 1999–2004 NHANES, compiling data on BMC, areal mineral density, and lean and fat mass of 412 boys and 931 girls aged 8–19 years in the US [ ¹³ ]. Specifically in Brazil, a recent study reported ageand sex-specific DXA-acquired reference data for lean and fat mass based on the evaluation of 541 adolescents (aged 12–17 years, 170 girls) in the state of Parana [ ⁹⁷ ].

The Brazilian population has unique features compared with other populations. Brazil is a large country with specific genetic background and phenotypic patterns clustered in some regions, and an overall population with substantial ethnic miscegenation, all of which affect body composition. Based on that, a nationwide reference database of DXA-assessed body composition representative of Brazilian children and adolescents would be desirable [ ⁹⁸ ].

In pediatrics, assessment of body composition using DXA should follow the same ISCD standards as those used for adult scanning: fasting, adequate hydration, empty bladder, clothing, and body positioning [ ²⁸ ].

Research studies have contributed to a better understanding of the physiological changes in body composition during growth. However, body composition assessment using DXA should be performed judiciously in children and adolescents, considering that no consensually established references are currently available for precise and accurate quantification of different body compartments in this population. Still, the currently available data may be applicable in clinical practice to evaluate the impact of diseases on body composition, offer parameters to define specific interventions on nutritional health, and evaluate the impact of clinical procedures on global health and growth [ ⁸⁶ , ⁹⁹ , ¹⁰⁰ ].

Increasingly more studies are providing new data on the assessment of body composition by DXA in adolescent athletes, elucidating some of the mechanisms driving the impact of diet and physical activity on body compartments. Results from such studies can optimize the guidance for sports performance and recognize situations that could potentially trigger health risks [ ¹⁰¹ – ¹⁰³ ].

Currently available pediatric data still do not support the analysis of body composition by DXA for population screening or comprehensive monitoring of clinical conditions involving the risk of metabolic and nutritional disorders. The use of the method for assessing nutritional disorders, if carried out, should be judicious, observing the clinical context of each patient [ ⁸⁶ ].

In summary, understanding the advantages and limitations of body composition analysis by DXA and other methods in pediatrics and the changing nature of body composition during childhood and adolescence are essential steps for choosing the best measurement technique for each individual, population, or clinical issue in research settings, as well as the correct interpretation of the obtained data.

Statement 7

Numerous conditions may potentially interfere with body compartment distribution (lean, fat, and bone mass), including exogenous and endogenous overweight and obesity, environmental and disease-related undernutrition, anorexia, chronic drug therapy (e.g., corticosteroids, chemotherapy), and chronic diseases (e.g., systemic inflammatory disorders, inborn errors of metabolism, muscular dystrophies, and endocrine, gastrointestinal, heart, and pulmonary diseases). The most frequently used parameter for estimating body composition in routine practice in pediatrics is the BMI.

Interpretation of pediatric DXA data may be challenging due to physiological changes in body composition during growth, particularly in the absence of Brazilian normative reference data for children and adolescents. Thus, the NHANES III database is also recommended for use in pediatric patients (ages 5–19 years) in Brazil.

8. What is the clinical application of body composition assessment in patients infected with HIV?

Adequate nutritional status is essential for patients infected with HIV since compromised nutrition in this population has been negatively associated with immune system dysregulation, disease progression, morbidity, and mortality. Due to complex and unclear mechanisms, patients infected with HIV may present body composition changes even without weight loss [ ¹⁰⁴ , ¹⁰⁵ ]. Therefore, noninvasive methods for body composition assessment are useful to monitor and identify possible changes in this population [ ¹⁰⁵ ].

HIV-associated lipodystrophy is a condition characterized by abnormal body fat redistribution. Subtypes of this condition included lipoatrophy (peripheral fat wasting, with subcutaneous fat loss in the face, arms, legs, and buttocks), lipohyperthophy (abdominal visceral fat accumulation, neck enlargement, gynecomastia, and development of dorsocervical fat pad or “buffalo hump”), and a phenotype of mixed (combined) lipodystrophy, with the clinical presentation of both lipoatrophy and lipohyper-trophy [ ¹⁰⁴ – ¹⁰⁶ ]. Although first described in adults, HIV-associated lipodystrophy can also occur early in life [ ¹⁰⁷ , ¹⁰⁸ ].

Some studies have reported early body composition changes detectable by DXA in pediatric patients infected with HIV, even in those without typical clinically visual signs of lipodystrophy [ ¹⁰⁹ , ¹¹⁰ ]. A study following HIV-infected children into adolescence reported progressive subcutaneous fat loss and greater accumulation of visceral adiposity in those with lipodystrophy [ ¹¹¹ ]. BIA is a cost-effective method to predict lean body mass and total body fat in HIV-infected children but requires specific prediction equations [ ¹⁰⁵ , ¹¹² ], is unable to assess body fat redistribution, and may be imprecise in patients with lipodystrophy [ ¹⁰⁴ ]. A Brazilian study comparing body composition assessment with BIA versus DXA in prepubertal HIV-infected children showed a high homogeneity between both methods for total body fat but no concordance regarding FFM [ ¹¹² ].

Anthropometric measurements are also useful in assessing body composition in HIV-infected persons [ ¹⁰⁵ ]. The trunk-to-arm skinfold ratio (the sum of the subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds divided by the sum of the biceps and triceps skinfolds) may be a useful parameter of body fat redistribution [ ¹⁰⁷ ] and correlates inversely with the limb-to-trunk fat ratio (the sum of the fat mass in the arms and legs divided by the fat mass in the trunk) obtained by DXA [ ¹⁰⁸ ]. Of note, ratios such as trunk/limb fat, trunk/leg fat, fat mass ratio, and even trunk or limb fat as a percent of total fat are unable to fully differentiate between peripheral fat loss and central fat gain; however, they may be useful and must be interpreted with caution [ ¹⁰ ].

Bone metabolism in HIV-infected persons can be affected by several factors, including antiretroviral drugs and the infection itself. Low BMD for chronologic age is reported in HIV-infected children and adolescents and may result in suboptimal peak bone mass in adulthood [ ¹¹³ , ¹¹⁴ ]. Additionally, adults with HIV have a high risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and low BMD [ ¹¹⁵ , ¹¹⁶ ].

According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA) [ ¹⁰⁵ ], there is plenty of evidence for assessing body composition in HIV-infected children, adolescents, and adults. The Adult Official Positions of the ISCD recommend DXA total body composition with regional analysis to evaluate fat distribution in patients with HIV using antiretroviral drugs associated with a risk of lipoatrophy (currently stavudine and zidovudine) [ ⁷¹ ]. The Osteo Renal Exchange Program (OREP), which addresses bone disease in HIV-infected patients, recommends DXA to be performed in the following adults with HIV infection: men aged ≥ 50 years, postmenopausal women, and patients at high risk of falls, with a history of fragility fracture, or receiving chronic corticosteroid treatment [ ¹¹⁷ ].

Statement 8

Body composition assessment is recommended in patients infected with HIV for monitoring of body composition changes related to the disease and adverse effects associated with antiretroviral therapy, particularly abnormal body fat redistribution in the HIV-associated lipodystrophy spectrum.

The following parameters may be useful for assessing the presence of lipodystrophy in HIV-infected patients: limb-to-trunk fat ratio, trunk/leg fat ratio, and fat mass ratio.

9. How should body composition be assessed in transgender individuals?

A systematic review has evaluated the bone mass effects of long-term cross-sex hormone therapy (CSHT) in transgender individuals. However, the conclusions had moderate- to low-quality evidence due to studies with an observational design, small sample sizes, and variations in hormone therapy protocols [ ¹¹⁸ ].

According to the ISCD statement: (1) gender data should be obtained on the intake questionnaire; (2) T-scores should be calculated using a uniform Caucasian (non-race adjusted) female normative database for all transgender individuals of all ethnic groups and be used in all transgender individuals age 50 years or older, regardless of hormonal status; (3) Z-scores should be calculated using the normative database that matches the gender identity of the individual (both male and female databases if requested); (4) in gender-nonbinary individuals, the normative database that matches the sex recorded at birth should be used [ ⁷¹ ].

Several factors can interfere with bone, lean, and fat mass in transgender individuals, e.g., the time elapsed since gonadectomy and beginning of hormone therapy, use of GnRH analogs, adherence or use of inadequate CSHT doses, presence of other risk factors for bone loss, associated diseases, and medications (e.g., corticosteroids) [ ⁷¹ , ¹¹⁹ ]. However, no consistent data about body composition in transgender individuals are available at this time.

Statement 9

Consistent data on body composition assessment in transgender individuals are currently unavailable. Until studies with more consistent data are published, we recommended the calculation of T-scores using a uniform Caucasian (non-race adjusted) female normative database for all transgender individuals of all ethnic groups and all transgender individuals aged 50 years or older, regardless of hormonal status. Z-scores should be calculated using the normative database that matches the gender identity of the individual (or based on both male and female databases, if requested by the physician). In gender-nonbinary individuals, the normative database that matches the sex recorded at birth should be used.

Perspective

10. What is the role of DXA in veterinary medicine and zootechnics?

The topic of DXA use in animal studies has not been explored much in the literature and brings an interesting perspective regarding other innovative applications of this technique.

The relatively recent introduction of DXA in veterinary medicine and animal sciences demonstrates the vast potential of applicability of the method in these areas. Historically, Kronacher and Hogreve were pioneers in using noninvasive diagnostic methods in animals, using x-ray to analyze the pelvis in pigs [ ¹²⁰ ]. In vivo body composition measurement by DXA has been obtained from porks [ ¹²¹ ], broilers [ ¹²² ], and sheep [ ¹²³ ]. There are also examples of the application of DXA as a reliable technique and alternative to traditional methods in the evaluation of body composition in ovine carcasses [ ¹²⁴ ], pigs [ ¹²⁵ , ¹²⁶ ], broilers [ ¹²⁷ ], and beef carcass sides and primal cuts [ ¹²⁸ ].

Mawby et al. [ ¹²⁹ ] used DXA to analyze the body composition of dogs with obesity due to malnutrition. German et al. [ ¹³⁰ ] evaluated the body condition score (BCE) and DXA scanning in dogs to estimate changes in weight and body composition and found that the animals had increased lean mass, lower fat mass, and decreased weight and BCE. Reference values for body composition and age and gender differences can be obtained from healthy adult cats using DXA scanning; these values allow for monitoring of nutritional status, assessment of skeletal muscle development, and investigation of metabolic and endocrine disorders [ ¹³¹ ]. The reference values also have the potential to evaluate the effectiveness of feeding interventions on the amount of lean and fat mass, for example, with the commercial purpose of selling animals with less fat and greater lean content or vice versa.

Of note, the recent use of DXA in veterinary medicine has proven to be valid, reliable [ ¹²³ , ¹²⁵ , ¹²⁶ , ¹²⁹ ], and reproducible, confirming that DXA is an excellent potential instrument for applications in animal health and production. However, reference values at different animal ages are still required to monitor body changes during lactation, analysis of data after use of nutritional additives, monitoring of dietary regimes, or even experimentally- or naturally-induced obesity.

Statement 10

DXA can be used in veterinary medicine and animal sciences for measurement of whole-body composition in pigs, broilers, cats, dogs, and sheep, among others. Although normative data in these animals are scarce, this technique has a great potential in accurately evaluating the effectiveness of feeding interventions on the amount of lean and fat mass.

Conclusion

Of all current technologies for body composition assessment, DXA should be the preferred method since it performs whole-body analyses in a shorter time and with less radiation exposure, providing a particularly accurate analysis of fat parameters. In general, BMD and total body BMC (including head) should not be used as isolated skeletal health markers or to diagnose osteoporosis and low bone mass in adults. BMI may be a measure of weight gain, but not necessarily of excess fat.

The following results should be included in DXA-assessed body composition reports: anthropometric data, total fat mass, percentage of fat mass, FMI, VAT, A/G ratio, ALMI (Baumgartner criteria), and BMI-adjusted lean mass index (FNIH for over 65-year-old individuals).

The diagnosis of sarcopenia is based on low muscle mass associated with low muscle strength or performance; these parameters can be evaluated by handgrip strength and gait speed, which are the tests mostly used for this purpose in clinical practice. Lean mass measurement has some limitations and is not included in the definition of sarcopenia issued by some medical societies.

Special care is recommended regarding quality control and LSC calculation to allow for accurate and reproducible measurements and longitudinal control when the patient’s condition requires follow-up assessments.

Data interpretation in pediatric patients is challenging, partially due to continuous physiological changes in body composition during linear growth, especially during adolescence. DXA-assessed body composition in pediatrics is particularly interesting in chronic diseases, mainly those involving nutritional disorders and muscle mass. Trunk/limb fat ratio, trunk/leg fat ratio, and fat mass ratio assessed by DXA may be useful in HIV-infected patients to assess the presence of lipodystrophy.

No consistent data on body composition assessment in transgender individuals are available currently.

In veterinary medicine, DXA has been proven valid, reproducible, and a potential tool for assessing animal health.

• Funding
  Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Osteometabolism (ABRASSO; Brazilian Society of Bone Metabolism).
• Availability of data and materials
  Not applicable.
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• Ethics approval and consent to participate
  Not applicable.
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  Not applicable.
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  Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Acknowledgements

Brazilian Association of Bone Assessment and Osteometabolism (ABRASSO; Brazilian Society of Bone Metabolism), and Milena Braga-Basaria, MD (Voxmed Medical Communications) for critical review and suggestions of improvements to the manuscript.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  22 Apr 2022
• Date of issue
  2022

History

• Received
  21 May 2021
• Accepted
  04 Mar 2022
• Published
  01 Apr 2022