Body Scan Results and Process

Since I started losing weight in April of last year, I have been concerned and interested in fat loss versus muscle loss. Specifically, how to minimize the muscle loss that naturally comes with weight loss. While I wish I had done this earlier, I went in for a DEXA body composition analysis yesterday at a local university’s Office of Nutrition Services.

The Process

I found these folks on line through a Google search for DEXA scans and my hometown. Eastern Michigan University is about 20 minutes away from me and they offer the DEXA scan, nutritional counseling and other stuff for their staff and students, but also offer the services for a slightly higher price to the community. I scheduled the 30 minute DEXA scan only appointment through their on-line scheduling and showed up with $40. I had to take all metal off, but the scan was done fully clothed (zipper and jeans rivets don’t affect the results much, I was told).

I laid flat on the machine, which is a table with plenty of open space and a scanning arm that moves across the body about 2 feet above you. The table weighs you and does low dose X-rays at two different strengths while the arm records the data as it moves down the length of your body. The scan requires you to fit into a box on the table, which I was a little too tall for and a smidgen too wide. I had to scrunch up a little and tuck my elbows in tight, and even so my right arm went outside the line a bit. I had to lie still for about 10-12 minutes while the machine did its work, then the scan was done and the nutritionist went over the results with me. It was painless, quick and reasonably priced (for me).

The Results

The results were a three page report that reports (among other things):

Tissue weight (everything that is not bone)
Bone weight
Fat weight
Lean weight

Fat distribution (upper versus lower body)

Body Fat percentage

Bone Mineral Density

It also breaks down the different weights for each arm and leg and trunk, which might give some comparative value when I repeat the scan in 6 months or so.

The report shows the scans showing your bone structure as well as the outline or fat/lean view that I assume comes from the lower power scan:




What I got out of it

The dietitian highlighted the following to me:

Body fat was 30.9%, which was higher than I was hoping and was still 98th percentile. I have no idea how much the loose skin on my belly and thighs contributes to this number, but it is not a surprise that I still have a lot of fat. My target weight is at the top of the BMI “overweight” range, which was in part knowing that some excess skin would make it very difficult to get really low.

Fat Distribution compares the upper body (android) and lower body (Gynoid) fat. My A/G ratio was 0.85, indicating more of my fat is in the lower body. She indicated that a ratio less than 1 is better, as upper body (belly) fat is linked to more health issues.

Bone density was very high (the highest she had seen), which she said was the main benefit of being overweight. Years of over feeding really makes strong bones, coupled with the exercise inherent in carrying around so much weight.

I am looking forward to seeing what the next six months brings. I am hoping this will spur me to be more regularly at the gym lifting to try and build some more muscle, or at least lose less until I am at maintenance and increasing my calories.

I wish I had done this last year to have a starting point, and would suggest that anyone who is starting the process at least consider getting one done. I am glad I took ‘before’ pictures, because they tell a great story as well.

Any questions, feel free to ask!

Rob