Describe how the Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) machine measures bone mineral density, percent body fat and body composition.

Describe how the Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) machine measures bone mineral

density, percent body fat and body composition. Include in your answer exactly how the

scanner works, which patient populations should have a periodic DEXA scan, which patients

should not have a DEXA scan, patient preparation issues, safety aspects (e.g., radiation

exposure), sources of error, what the research tells us about DEXA scans of different patient

populations (e.g., ethnicity differences, height/weight differences, body composition

differences of kids vs. adults) and which 2-4 companies currently make and sell DEXA

scanners. Please discuss all aspects of DEXA and reference your answer. This is the “long

answer” question of this lab exercise