Technology is advancing to the point where it’s now easier than ever to see just how effective a workout program or weight loss strategy is. With the introduction of DEXA scans in this market, you can get access to a broad range of data points that show everything from your body composition to your visceral fat mass.
A DEXA scan is also known as a dual x-ray absorptiometry scan. It passes both low-energy and high-energy X-rays through your body. It’s usually used to get a view of your bone density, but it can also be helpful in understanding your body composition.
This article will cover what happens after your Fitnescity DEXA scan and what you can expect from the report.
What Happens After Your Fitnescity DEXA Scan?
After your DEXA scan, Fitnescity will process your data provided by the partner facility you tested at. Once your data is ready, you’ll receive an email with a link that allows you to log into your personalized Fitnescity dashboard.
Your personal dashboard will show you important metrics that you can use to understand your body composition and overall health.
Understanding Your Fitnescity DEXA Scan
When you sign into your dashboard on the Fitnescity platform, you’ll get an instant overview of your body composition, as well as other important elements that you can use to get a good view of your current health.
On the dashboard, you’ll be able to see your latest test results at a glance. You can click on these different sections to get a more detailed overview. Use the menu on the left side of the screen if you want to view your entire report or access your previous scans.
Let’s break down some of the most important elements that you’ll see as you navigate your test results.
Body Fat Distribution:
This section gives you a view of how your fat is distributed in different parts of your body. Each part that was assessed shows both body fat and lean mass. You’ll also get a breakdown of your overall body composition, with the report showing your body fat, lean mass, and bone mass.
The specific areas that the Body Fat Distribution report may cover:
● Right arm
● Left arm
● Left Ribs
● Right Ribs
● T Spine
● L Spine
● Pelvis
● Trunk
● Right leg
● Left leg
Mass Breakdown:
When it comes to measuring your body composition, there are two main elements that you’ll need to pay attention to. This includes fat and lean mass. Fat mass refers to the amount of fat you have in your body. Lean mass refers to your fat-free mass.
Visceral Fat:
The Fitnescity DEXA scan also gives you a comprehensive breakdown of your visceral fat, when available. You’ll see the total visceral fat mass as well as the volume measurement.
Studies have found that visceral fat is the most dangerous fat to have in your body. This fat can collect around your organs and cause constriction. The breakdown will give you more detail about your subcutaneous fat and your visceral adipose tissue.
The subcutaneous fat is a layer that is located just underneath the skin in your abdomen. Visceral adipose tissue, also called VAT, is a more dangerous kind of white fat that collects in your abdominal cavity.
Body Fat Percentage:
One of the first things you’ll see is your body fat percentage. This is an important measurement to start with, as it tells you the ratio of body fat compared to your total body mass.
Your ideal body fat percentage depends on a couple of factors, such as your age and gender. Your personal goals also play a role in helping you determine what a good body fat percentage rate to aim for.
Your DEXA scan results will also show your percentile. This figure tells you how your body fat percentage compares with other people of a similar age and gender. A 0 percentile is what an elite athlete would aim for. The higher your percentile, the closer you are to a high body fat risk.
Bone Density:
Depending on the details of your test, you may notice that the dashboard also includes details about your bone density, or BMD (Bone Mineral Density).
Your bone mineral density gives you a better overview of your bone health. It’s a good measurement of bone strength. The DEXA scan also gives you a Z-score, which tells you how close you are to the average bone mineral density level compared to the general population. A 0 Z-score means you’re in line with the average level for your age group.
Something to note with a Fitnescity DEXA scan, in particular, is that you won’t get a segmental analysis for bone density. This is because the DEXA scans from Fitnescity don’t focus on diagnosing a disease but rather only provide data that can be used for monitoring personal health.
Fitnescity Wellness Score:
Something else you’ll notice on the dashboard is your Fitnescity Wellness Score. This is a score out of 100 and basically tells you how you’re doing. The lower the score, the more problems were found with your test results. For example, things like a large volume of visceral fat and a high body fat percentage will have a negative impact on your Fitnescity Wellness Score.
Think of this as a score for your overall health. If you’re going for regular Fitnescity DEXA scans, then this is also a good measure to focus on when it comes to improving your fitness and well-being.
BMI:
BMI, or Body Mass Index, is a relatively old way of understanding where you lie between healthy weight, underweight, and overweight. You’ll be able to see your BMI in the dashboard, which should ideally fall between 18.5 and 24.9.
If your BMI is lower than 18.5, then you’re likely underweight. Overweight starts at 25 and goes up to 29.9. A BMI of 30 or higher means you’re obese.
Something to keep in mind is the fact that recent studies have found that BMI is not the ideal way to get a good overview of your health, as it’s an outdated measurement. This is why it’s useful to see all of the other data that a Fitnescity DEXA scan also offers.
Final Thoughts
The Fitnescity DEXA scan focuses on giving you a more comprehensive overview of your body composition compared to your standard bathroom scale. The scan offers helpful information about your body composition, body fat percentage, lean mass, and more. Use this data to help you understand your health and track the progress of workout programs, diets, and other strategies you use to improve your fitness.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6469873/#
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC419497/#