DEXA Scan

[fihe]

I'm aware that DEXA scanning is an effective, accurate method of measuring one's body fat percentage. There's an office in my area that offers DEXA scans, but it is marketed as being for measuring bone density, and is generally used for patients at risk of osteoporosis. However, would the report also show my BF%? I'm not sure what a standard DEXA report looks like. Also, I'm very sure that I'll need to pay out of pocket since I do not have any pressing medical reason for getting a DEXA scan.

Here is their website with a description of the DEXA scan they offer: http://univrad.com/screening_dexa_bone.asp

This one is in my area too, but a little further: https://www.uoanj.com/sports-perform...position-scan/

[lmcfreekz]

Does many things... it's marketed because those are the kind of people where there's a really legitimate use for it...

I mean, I'd like to get a more accurate fat reading, muscle mass reading... but I don't care enough about it to start dropping cash for DEXA scans... and even DEXA scans aren't without some margin of error too... on the other hand if I was suffering from osteoporosis then yea, I'd happily put some cash down to see what the deal is...

If getting a more accurate body fat reading is whatever it costs in $ important to you... then do it... if not, just go by visuals, calipers and the scale using the principles you can read about on these forums.

[pmw961]

DEXA scans can have up to 10% variation in individuals. It's great as a measurement tool for a population, but is still inaccurate for individual tracking purposes. I'd save my money if I were you. Post in the body fat estimation thread if you want and use tape measurements and pinch tests to track progress.

[Silencespeaks]

I did one a while ago just out of curiosity and it was free as a promotion by an urgent care center chain, and I think some college health centers also offer it for free. It gives a report with lots of numbers so just ask beforehand if bf% will be included.

I read up on DEXA at the time and recall some discussion about the DEXA % being higher than other measures like calipers because the DEXA % includes both visceral (fat around organs) and subcutaneous (under skin) fat while calipers only measure subcutaneous fat (the visible fat that is at issue in fitness/bodybuilding).

Ultimately it's just a temporary metric anyway and possibly inaccurate, and I probably won't do it again. Mirror and pinching your waist etc. is enough really.