Accurate measurement of body composition provides valuable information for assessing, monitoring, and treating a variety of diseases and disorders.
Body composition measurement with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) can look beyond weight and the traditional body mass index (BMI) to determine body fat distribution - an important risk factor in a variety of serious diseases.
Information from DEXA exams can prove valuable in conditions, such as:
Obesity
Anorexia nervosa
Cystic fibrosis
Wasting syndrome (caused by HIV / Aids)
Chronic renal failure
In all these cases, body composition measurement contributes to a thorough patient evaluation and helps physicians monitor the effects of therapy, diet, or exercise.
Body composition scans with DEXA provide precise and accurate data on bone and tissue composition, including bone mineral density (BMD), lean tissue mass, and fat tissue mass. They provide both total body data and regional results (trunk, arms, legs, pelvis, and
android / gynoid regions). The measurements are fast and non-invasive.
We use DEXA scans for body composition because it accurately shows exactly where fat is distributed throughout the body. Lunar DEXA systems directly measure and calculate total fat, lean, and bone tissue, instead of estimating body composition.
