Wellness: Why a DEXA Scan Is Better Than the Scale

 There's much more to health and fitness than weight.

By Graham Isador

September 4, 2023

Typically, when people say they’re trying to lose weight, what they actually mean is they’re trying change their body composition—they're trying to be leaner. A lower number on the scale could be an indication that you're shedding body fat, but it could just as easily mean you're less hydrated than the last time you weighed yourself, or even that you’ve dropped muscle mass.

When considering your overall health (or trying to look great without a shirt on), body weight alone gives you an incomplete picture. For information beyond weight, a number of newer smart scales like the Withings Body Smart offer detailed metrics and feedback, including things like body fat percentage and metabolic rate. They’re a useful starting point if you want to begin tracking changes.

But for medical grade analysis, the best place to turn is a DEXA scan. This machine uses low-level X-rays to determine a person's bone density and overall body composition. The procedure itself only takes a couple of minutes: Patients lie on their back, staying completely still while a mechanical arm scans the length of their body. The scan creates a silhouette map of bone, lean tissue, and fat along with a comprehensive breakdown of graphs and numbers showing how their body compares to the average population. Generally, a DEXA scan will cost somewhere in the $100 range. That includes the procedure itself and time with a clinician explaining exactly what everything means.

Historically DEXA scans have been used by bodybuilders anxious to know their overall body fat or anyone concerned about bone density. But more recently the test has been championed by longevity experts like Peter Attia because of the comprehensive feedback the scan gives...

For the most accurate results, it's important to control outside variables that can impact your results, including food, exercise, and hydration levels leading up to the appointment. Any follow-up scans should be performed under the same circumstances at the same clinic.

Tracking body composition accurately can help you make informed decisions about your diet and training. It’s especially helpful if you’re seeing changes in the mirror that aren’t necessarily reflected in your scale weight or if you’re the type of person who needs meticulous data to make decisions. A DEXA scan can be a valuable tool when trying to get leaner—and can also be a useful assessment of overall health—but should be considered extra credit rather than a regular part of your programming. Studies show that any consistent tracking at all can help lead to improved weight loss.

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