Three-dimensional body scanning as a novel technique for body composition assessment: A preliminary investigation

Three Dimensional (3D) body scanners are novel technologies for the assessment of body volume. The purpose of this study was to determine if 3D body scanning can be used as an accurate method of body composition assessment. Eighty-five male subjects (21.7 ± 2.3 yrs old; 81.0 ± 12.2 kg; 25.4 ± 3.4 kg/m ²) completed Duel X-Ray Absortometry (DXA), Bod Pod, and 3D body scanning. Comparisons of body fat percentage (BF) indicated significant differences between 3D body scanning, DXA (BF = 16.3 ± 4.7%), and Bod Pod (BF = 12.2 ± 7.2%). A prediction equation (3D MU) was created and showed improvement over currently used scanner equations by the Department of Defense (DoD), (3D MU = 16.5 ± 4.2%, SEE = 3.09%; DoD = 13.5 ± 6.4%, SEE = 3.67%) when compared to DXA. Although the 3D body scanner shows promise as a method of evaluating BF, more refinement is needed before it can be used as a method of assessment.