My Results: BodPod vs. DXA Scan vs. Withings SBA

[IBEJohnson]

Hello all-

This is my first post on the forums and I thought I'd share my recent body composition results. If you are looking at the various methods, trying to make a decision on which to choose or if you are just curious about what to expect regarding the various options, take a look.

Pre-test thoughts:

Hydrostatic BF Test: You’ll notice that I did not include a hydrostatic BF test. It seems that for many people hydrostatic and BodPod results are similar, so I didn't feel the need to do both. This was primarily a cost factor.
BodPod: See above.
Calipers: No access to calipers - did not test.
DXA (or DeXA): I read a lot of complaints from people whose BF% came back much higher with the DXA than with hydrostatic or BodPod. Maybe you've read the same stories. That in mind, I was prepared for this.
Scale: I just purchased a brand new Withings Smart Body Analyzer. I expected the scale to underestimate my BF%, as it seems that most home-based solutions do, including the Tanita scale I had for many years.

The tests were done two days apart.

~~DXA~~
DXA Scan_6-4.pdf

Trend: Total (2nd yellow box):

• Total Mass - My weight.
• Region (% fat) - This was explained as the BF% measurement that I am looking for, not the Tissue (% fat).
• Etc. - The last 5 columns are a pretty self-explanatory breakdown of how my weight is proportioned. BMC (lbs) is the weight of my bones.

Trend: Fat Distribution (3rd yellow box).

• Android (% fat) - This was explained as trunk area. Considering that I am heavier in my mid section (love handles, etc.) this makes sense.
• Gynoid (% fat) - This is just below the trunk - hips and thighs.
• Total (% fat) - Logic would dictate that this is the measurement that you'd look for, but according to the technician, it's really the Region % (discussed above)

Body Composition
A breakdown of each of my regions.

~~BodPod~~
BodPod_6-6.pdf

This one is pretty basic. You can see all the corresponding info in the Body Composition Result box in the upper-right.

~~Withings Smart Body Analyzer~~

My scale logged me at 234lbs and 23.5% BF.

Post-test thoughts:

Much to my surprise, the BodPod and the DXA scan were in line with each other. This is very good for me because I can do BodPod retests for only $20! That said, I'm a bit of a number cruncher, so it was fun to analyze the details of the DXA scan.

Regarding the Withings scale: I'm an idiot, so when I got home from the DXA scan, I forgot to get on the scale. But I did not forgot when I got home from the BodPod appointment. As I suspected, it is measuring me much lower BF% than the professional tests.

Cheers!

[andrewlef]

Where are the results?

Edit: Missed the pdf docs.

Also, very strong first post to join date ratio.

[IBEJohnson]

Also, very strong first post to join date ratio.

Ha! It took me a while to warm up to you guys.

[andrewlef]

Disappointed to hear that Withings is so far off. I wonder if the discrepancy would be similar for someone who is 10%BF.

[dmacdonal9]

Can you post some pics? It's always interesting to see visually what different BF measurements look like.

[tara19]

Thanks for posting OP.
Also second posting photos of you currently.

[IBEJohnson]

Hey guys,

As requested, here is a pic. Rather than show you something outdated, I snapped a quick one...

DSC_0002.jpg

[IBEJohnson]

Disappointed to hear that Withings is so far off. I wonder if the discrepancy would be similar for someone who is 10%BF.

I'll let you know when I get there.

One thing I did leave out is that I've noticed the scale tends to be a bit inconsistent on BF% anyway. Case in point:

- 11 days ago I measured myself at 4:00pm (not the ideal time of day, obviously) - 239lbs and 23.5% BF.
- The next morning I re-measured myself - 236lbs and 26% BF. Go figure.
- Then a few days ago, the measurement I already discussed on the original post - 234lbs and 23.5% BF
- This morning: 233lbs and 26.6% BF. Then I immediately got on and re-measured and got 233 lbs and 27.1% BF. After a hard workout I came in at 230lbs and 24.6% BF.

That's a lot of detail, I know. But as you can see, the numbers fluctuate quite a bit. I think the key is -- and I haven't done a particularly good job of this so far -- each weigh-in should be at a consistent time with consistent factors; pre-workout, post-workout, whatever. It won't get the results close to the BodPod or the DXA, but it might eliminate some of the inconsistency.

[ademyster]

Thanks for posting op, I would have guessed you were 24-25% body fat from the pic. Based on this info I think my body fat percentage is higher than thought. Repped

[dmacdonal9]

Thanks for posting op, I would have guessed you were 24-25% body fat from the pic.

Yeah, I thought the same.

[lucksterx]

Lol, I went through a similar exercise: had the DEXA, BodPod and the hydrostatic performed. All came out +/1%. These tests are fun to analyze for whatever reason...

Any reason for doing them besides curiosity? Had to submit results or anything?

[IBEJohnson]

Any reason for doing them besides curiosity? Had to submit results or anything?

I'm in the midst of my first round of P90X. I wasn't able to do it before I started the program, so I did it as soon as I could.

[IBEJohnson]

For those of you interested, I just posted my 60 day results on a new thread https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=161977223.

I'll continue to update that thread every 30 days with new pics and BF%.

Cheers!