DEXA Body Composition Scan

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) body composition scan to measure fat mass, lean muscle mass, bone mineral density, and visceral fat area with clinical precision. Results are delivered in a segmental report broken down by limbs and trunk, enabling targeted intervention for muscle imbalances, fat distribution concerns, and bone health monitoring. The scan takes under ten minutes; total appointment including report review is twenty minutes. Results are available immediately for use in fitness, nutrition, and clinical planning.

DEXA body composition scanning at River District Wellness uses dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry — the clinical gold standard for body composition measurement — to differentiate fat tissue, lean soft tissue (muscle, organs, connective tissue), and bone mineral content across the full body and in segmental regions. Unlike bioelectrical impedance (BIA) scales or hydrostatic weighing, DEXA is not confounded by hydration status, meal timing, or body temperature, making it highly reproducible for serial measurements tracking changes over time in response to training programmes, dietary interventions, or medical weight management. The scan emits two low-energy X-ray beams at different photon energies; the differential attenuation of each beam as it passes through body tissues allows software to calculate the mass of each tissue compartment with a precision error of approximately 1–2% for fat mass and 1% for lean mass in research-grade scanners. At River District Wellness, the DEXA report is delivered segmentally — right arm, left arm, right leg, left leg, android (abdominal) zone, gynoid (hip and thigh) zone, and total body — allowing identification of muscle asymmetries between dominant and non-dominant limbs (relevant for injury risk and rehabilitation monitoring), the android-to-gynoid fat ratio (a cardiovascular risk marker superior to BMI), and visceral adipose tissue area, which is a primary driver of metabolic syndrome risk independent of total body fat percentage. Bone mineral density is reported as a T-score (comparison to young adult peak bone mass) and Z-score (comparison to age-matched peers) for both the lumbar spine and femoral neck, enabling early identification of osteopenia and osteoporosis in patients who are not yet symptomatic. The scan itself takes seven to ten minutes; no contrast agent or special preparation is required beyond removing metal objects. A clinician interprets results with the patient immediately after the scan, contextualising findings against health history and exercise habits and providing a written summary for use with the patient's primary care physician or personal trainer.