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Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA / DXA) is widely regarded as one of the most proven and reliable technologies for measuring body composition. DEXA technology provides comprehensive, precise measurements of segmented bone regions.
The DEXA scan can be used to obtain an initial bone density assessment and to understand how the body is changing over time – i.e. how much bone density is maintained or lost over time.
Looking beyond the bathroom scale.
Accurate measurement of body composition provides valuable information for assessing, monitoring the human body.
Most people are used to stepping on a scale from now and then. But monitoring weight – while helpful – is not a precise way of assessing health and fitness progress.
Body composition measurement with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can look beyond weight and the traditional body mass index (BMI) to determine body fat distribution.
The DEXA / DXA body composition measurement technology provides complete and precise information.
Bone density measurement with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA / DXA) helps individuals, trainers and physicians monitor ones bone density.
Moreover, the measurements are fast and non invasive.
Bone density refers to the amount of minerals (mostly phosphorus and calcium) in your bones. The more mineral content, the “denser” (and stronger) your bones. Bone density testing measures the strength of your bones. It can also reveal whether you have a bone disease and predict how likely your bones are to break.
For instance, osteopenia is a loss of bone mass that causes your bones to become weaker which stems from the loss of calcium. When you start losing calcium, your bones can become more brittle. Your body is unable to replace the calcium as fast as it loses it and eventually, this can lead to another serious bone condition called osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis also weakens the bone, but it’s more serious than osteopenia. Your bones become so thin that even a slight bump against the wall can lead to a fracture or break. Your bones may even start to form holes, or pores, because so much material has been lost.
Anyone can develop osteopenia or osteoporosis. But these bone diseases tend to affect individuals over the age of 50 more than younger people. And women are usually impacted more than men.
Studies show that 50% of women and 20% of men will break a bone at some point in their lives due to osteoporosis. It’s considered a silent disease because a broken bone is usually its first clear sign. It’s not something you can feel happening inside your body, and you certainly can’t see it.
Schedule your DEXA scan visit (45 min).
Recommended attire for the scan: tight-fitting clothing
Test protocol: Arrive metal/ hard plastic free or ready to change. This includes: No zippers, buttons, reflective materials, jewelry or watches, and no bras with clasps or underwire. No metal or hard plastic hair clips or pins. If you have metal in your body (such as a replaced joint or a pin in a bone), please inform us.
Receive detailed body composition report (total fat mass, lean mass, regional body fat distribution and bone density):
Test results, interpretation, anthropometric data.
The report compares you with people who are similar to you (age, gender and ethnicity).
Depending on the location, the appointment may include a short consultation to help you better understand your results.
The most commonly available DEXA scan machines are GE’s Lunar iDXA and Hologic’s Horizon DXA system. Both provide results with clinical-grade accuracy. Here’s an overview of each machine.
Lunar iDXA by GE
Clarity
Crisp, high resolution images and precise measurements to help capture body measurements with confidence. Assessment is made easy with Lunar iDXA system's extra-crisp images. Lunar iDXA offers the latest generation of DXA technology from GE Healthcare. Its vertebral assessment is comparable to radiographs in identifying and classifying deformities concerning etiology, grade, and shape, while using a lower dose of radiation.
Precision
Lunar iDXA's detector technology enables an extremely precise measurement of the bone, allowing to track changes that had previously been too minor to detect.
Versatility
Lunar iDXA is equipped with a wide range of clinical applications with the enCORE software platform that helps professionals leverage the best of the DXA technology —whether it is for research projects in bone health and body composition, i.e. fat and lean mass distribution and trending for metabolic health applications, or for commercial use.
Horizon DXA system by Hologic
The Advanced Body Composition® Assessment, available with the BodyLogic™ scan on the Horizon® DXA system, visually presents data from BodyLogic scan in a series of easy-to-read graphical reports. Results are available immediately and use color mapping to identify fat, lean muscle mass, and bone.
The reports provide detailed information on Body Fat %, Lean Muscle %, and Visceral Fat with a comparison against the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database of age, gender and race matched peers.
Additionally, regularly scheduled BodyLogic scans during the course of a weight management program will show if the weight loss is from fat stores – or from muscle. The Rate-of-Change report, a key report available with the Advanced Body Composition® Assessment, visually displays changes in the body over time, enabling users and professionals to assess and adjust treatment programs.
Overall, the Advanced Body Composition® Assessment serves as an additional tool to monitor an individual’s weight loss and weight management program. When used in conjunction with weight management programs, data from the Advanced Body Composition® Assessment can be used to help individuals lose body fat, not muscle mass, for a more successful and healthier long-term weight loss.
1. Visceral fat: What It is and Why It's So Dangerous. Dr. Axe website. http://draxe.com/visceral-fat/ Accessed March 1, 2016.
2. The Viciousness of Visceral Fat. Health and Fitness Talk website. http://www.healthandfitnesstalk.com/the-viciousness-of-visceral-fat/ Accessed March 1, 2016.
3. Visceral fat tied to coronary disease. AuntMinnieEurope website. http://www.auntminnieeurope.com/index.aspx?sec=prtf&sub=def&pag=dis&itemId=612953&printpage=true&fsec=sup&fsub=car Accessed May 5, 2016.
4. Kaul S, Rothney MP, Peters DM, et al. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for quantification of visceral fat. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2012;20(6):1313- 1318.
5. Choi YJ. Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry: Beyond Bone Mineral Density Determination. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2016;31(1):25-30.
Fitnescity does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or a qualified medical professional if you have any questions about your results.
