DEXA technology has become the gold standard in body composition measurement. It tracks changes in muscle mass and body fat through x-ray technology, generating a detailed report for each individual. With accurate information in hand, individualised eating plans and training programs can be developed, driving clients closer than ever to good health and wellbeing.
Extensive studies have shown the risks of all-cause mortality are significantly correlated with body composition1. DEXA scan is considered one of the most accurate tests you could do to determine body fat and muscle distribution. Results can be used to track not only changes in weight but how much fat you are losing/gaining compared to your total muscle mass. It also provides readings of visceral fat (how much fat an individual carry around their organs), a good indicator for increased risk of chronic disease.
1 Dong B, Peng Y, Wang Z, Adegbija O, Hu J, et al. (2018) Joint association between body fat and its distribution with all-cause mortality: A data linkage cohort study based on NHANES (1988-2011). PLOS ONE 13(2): e0193368. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193368
DEXA scans can be used for analysing body composition of adults, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, the elderly, or any individuals looking to find out more about their bodies. We also serve clients who had injuries which create muscle imbalances, and through the DEXA results they can monitor progress.
Informed health practitioners and fitness professionals refer their clients to Body and Bone as they know that DEXA is the most scientifically accurate method to determine body composition.
A DEXA scan will give you a highly accurate baseline to help you achieve your goals. By knowing your body fat and lean tissue percentage, you can make lifestyle changes to improve your health and reduce your risk for chronic diseases.
Along with Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) and VO2 testing, DEXA scan results can be used to recommend specific information on ideal caloric intake and energy expenditure, helping to achieve fat loss or muscle gain goals.
DEXA is one of the quickest and most practical methods of body composition available, addressing many of the limitations of alternative methods.
Body Composition Scales
e.g. Inbody, Tanita, and Omron
These scales are usually seen in many gyms and fitness centres. They estimate body composition by measuring your body’s conductivity to electricity. Muscle has more water than fat and as such is more conductive. In strict research scenarios results can be adequate, test results in commercial settings are highly unreliable and almost always distorted by your individual hydration status, exercise, alcohol and food intake.
3D Body Scanner
Claiming to be precise and easy to use, this novelty method for measuring body composition has only one study of less than 300 subjects backing it up. Without real evidence supporting its validity, you also have to wear minimal clothing to be tested. Mind you that if you are wearing loose clothing or have your hair down results can be distorted.
Skin-Fold/Calipers
Skinfold Caliper Test, also known as Pinch Test, is a quick field measure for estimating overall body fat from thickness measurements of subcutaneous fat (the fat just below the skin), but it does not give an indication of total body fat nor potentially dangerous visceral fat. This method is also highly susceptible to measurement errors and the subject has to wear minimal clothing.
Bathroom Scales
Weighing yourself after exercising and eating healthy only to find out you have gained weight can be disheartening. Many factors can skew the number on the scales, as it weighs everything from fat, muscle, water, bones and all you’ve eaten the day before. When following a strength program an individual can gain lean mass while losing body fat, and DEXA Body Composition Scan will be the best way to track these changes.
After your initial DEXA scan, you can wait around 12 weeks until you have a follow up scan, however this may vary and will be discussed at the time of your scan. This will ensure that you give your body enough time to experience detectable physiological changes in muscle and fat mass which can be picked up by the DEXA scanner.
A DEXA Scan poses no significant health risk to its users, and at Body and Bone we utilise MedixDR scanners which emit the lowest amount of radiation on the market.
Our DEXA equipment emits < 0.1 uSv. This is less than 1/80th of the natural background radiation you would receive in a day (from sunlight exposure, soil, etc.), which is around 8 uSv.
Our doses are up to 85 times lower than other Fixed and Mobile DEXA Operators.
However, pregnant or potentially pregnant women should not have a DEXA scan. If you have had other Imaging Procedures in the past 14 days, please contact us before booking as you may have been given a contrast media which could affect your scan results.
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