Assessing body composition in taller or broader individuals using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: a systematic review.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an accurate and reliable method for determining body composition, but a limiting feature is the restricted scanning areas (∼190 × 60 cm(2)). This shortcoming is relevant not only to athletes involved in sports where height is a major performance determinant but also to obese individuals with a large trunk mass and breadth in whom body dimensions frequently exceed the scan area. This study reviews solutions for DXA length and/or width limitations and its accuracy for body composition assessment using the PRISMA statement guidelines.