How a DEXA scan can support your weight loss journey

When it comes to tracking your progress or setting goals on your weight loss journey, scales aren’t always the best indication. A number alone doesn’t tell the whole story, however body composition gives you a much clearer picture of where you’re currently at in your journey.

A DEXA (Dual-Energy-X-Ray Absorpiometry) scan is recognised as one of the key metrics for measuring visceral fat health risks and identifying areas of improvement.¹

This detailed understanding of your body allows you to tailor your weight loss strategies with science-backed data.

What is a DEXA scan?

A DEXA is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that measures your body composition, bone density, fat mass and lean mass using low-level X-rays.²

The procedure itself only takes a few minutes but the appointment as a whole will typically take around 30-60 minutes, as results are often discussed with a DEXA clinician following the scan.

How does a DEXA scan work?

A DEXA scan involves lying on a medical bed while a mechanical arm scans the length of the body. The scanner passes a small amount of two different X-ray beams through the body.

The first beam will be absorbed by fat and muscle and the second beam will be absorbed by the skeleton. By measuring the absorption of each beam, the amount of fat, lean mass and bone is calculated.

A silhouette X-ray map of the body will be outputted from the scan as well as a comprehensive breakdown of body measurements. Typically, a clinician will then run through the results of the scan and explain what they mean.

They will also provide a benchmark of results against the average population.

How can a DEXA scan help with weight loss?

Instead of guessing your way through your weight loss, a DEXA scan can unlock a clearer, more personalised path to success in a number of ways.

Streamline your health goals

The results of a DEXA scan help to identify specific areas for improvement in your health journey. For example, it could be that your body has areas of higher fat concentration which means adding more cardio to your routine.

Or, perhaps you need to focus on maintaining your lean muscle mass, focusing on a high-protein diet and strength training to compensate for the rapid weight loss under medicated weight loss treatments.

Identify potential health risks

One of the key measurements of a DEXA scan is your percentage of visceral fat. This is the fat that is located deep within the abdomen and is found in the spaces surrounding the liver, intestines and other organs.³

Visceral fat can present serious health risks if it isn’t managed correctly.

This is because visceral fat makes more of the proteins called cytokines which can trigger low-level inflammation, a risk factor for heart disease and other chronic conditions.

It also produces a precursor to angiotensin, a protein that causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to rising blood pressure. DEXA scan results will provide visceral fat percentage and indicate whether this sits within a healthy range or not.

If it’s the latter, there are still many strategies that can be implemented to reduce visceral fat, such as working out, improving nutrition, and getting enough sleep.

Monitor your bone health

Weight loss, especially when expedited by a medical weight loss treatment, can sometimes lead to bone density loss.⁴ This is where a DEXA scan can be helpful as it allows you to monitor your skeletal health by measuring the density levels of your bones.

If your bone density is decreasing, you can take steps to address it, such as incorporating weight-bearing exercises or adjusting your calcium intake.

Why are we only recognising the importance of DEXA now?

Until the mid-1980s, bone density measurements were mainly used for research purposes. It was only with the introduction of DEXA scanners in 1987 that these types of body measurements entered routine clinical practice.⁵

Even then, they were only used to assess osteoporosis risks and measure bone health.

Due to major advances in technology over the past 30 years, DEXA scans are now used to measure body fat percentage, lean mass and bone density providing a clear overview of your body’s make-up.

Because of the level of detail that they provide, DEXA scans are becoming more and more accessible to the general public and should not be underestimated in their ability to influence health outcomes for the better.