Developments in the Use of X-Rays in Body Composition Analysis

Abstract

Quantitative assay of body components in the living human is a subject of keen interest. Measurement of such fractions on superficial view seems a simple analysis problem. In fact, the opposite is true. The ‘specimen’ is not amenable to the usual destructive analytical procedures. Due to its importance, a continued effort has been mounted to assay the most basic of such components. This paper and bibliography traces the recent applications of penetrating radiation for such analysis.Some of the fractions whose measurement has been attempted are; bone mineral, adiposity (lipid to lean ratio), body hydration, tissue density, voids and spaces (i.e. lung). The importance of quantitative analysis of such gross components is apparent when taking mineralization as example.