Whole Body Composition Scan (DEXA Scan)

What is Whole Body Composition?

Body composition analysis is a quick, painless scan that provides in-depth information about body fat, muscle mass, and bone density. These scans can be helpful when evaluating levels of physical fitness or for tracking weight loss and training programs.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, also known as DEXA, is the technology that CDC uses to determine your body composition. This technology uses very low dose radiation to scan your whole body and deliver precise measurements of segmental body fat distribution in regions such as the arms, legs, waist, hips, and trunk.

Who can benefit from a Whole Body Composition scan?

These scans benefit anyone looking for more information into understanding their body composition. They can be especially beneficial for athletes that are searching for the most accurate system to track their progress, or for health-conscious individuals who are wanting to reach health and fitness goals.

A body composition scan can establish a starting point and targets for health goals for individuals. Many patients with weight loss goals focus on body fat percentage; however, Whole Body Composition scans provide additional value by breaking the tissue into fat, lean muscle, and minerals in your bones. These scans provide a more holistic and accurate assessment compared to other one-dimensional exams such as body mass index (BMI), bioimpedance, bod-pod measurements, or hydrostatic weighing metrics.

What is measured with a Whole Body Composition scan?

• Body fat
• Minerals in your bones (also called bone mineral content or BMC)
• Lean tissues such as organs and muscles

Other Information

To book a Whole Body Composition scan, you need a requisition form from your healthcare practitioner. Please note, this is not an insured service covered by Alberta Health Services.