Ultrasound as a Tool to Assess Body Fat

Table 1

Advantages and limitations of using ultrasound for assessing body fat.

Advantages	Limitations
(1) Lower cost than laboratory methods	(1) Higher cost than field methods
(2) High accuracy and precision in the hands of an experienced technician	(2) Requires experienced technician, considerable skill is necessary
(3) Capable of regional and segmental measurements	(3) Measurement procedures and techniques are not yet standardized
(4) Minimal tissue compression	(4) Inherent artifacts (fascia etc.)
(5) Noninvasive and no ionizing radiation
(6) Applicable for testing in the field
(7) Can measure other tissue thicknesses (muscle and bone)
(8) Short testing time, rapid procedure