A Full Body DEXA Scan is a highly accurate, non-invasive body composition test that measures fat, muscle, and bone density. It is ideal for preventive screening, fitness tracking, and managing medical conditions such as osteoporosis, obesity, sarcopenia, and chronic diseases. Unlike traditional methods, a Full Body DEXA Scan provides a detailed breakdown of body composition, making it a valuable tool for both athletes and medical professionals.
What is a Full Body DEXA Scan?
The whole body DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is a simple, safe, and high-resolution scan that is the gold standard for determining bone mineral density (BMD). However, its applications go far beyond BMD—it also performs Body Composition Analysis (BCA) with high precision.
Body Composition Analysis (BCA) software allows for a detailed measurement of lean body mass (muscle) and fat mass, giving a comprehensive overview of total body composition. This is essential for tracking fitness progress, weight loss, or the impact of medical conditions on muscle and fat distribution.
Who Should Get a Full Body DEXA Scan?
A Full Body DEXA Scan is useful for individuals managing or monitoring:
✅ Obesity & weight management
✅ Sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss)
✅ Chronic illnesses (HIV, chronic renal failure, frailty with age, anorexia nervosa)
✅ Athletes and fitness enthusiasts tracking muscle-to-fat ratio
✅ Osteoporosis & bone density risk (see our Endometriosis & Woman For Life screening)
Why Visceral Fat Matters: DEXA’s Advanced VAT Assessment
One of the most crucial applications of a Full Body DEXA Scan is the assessment of Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT).
VAT is the hidden fat surrounding your abdominal organs, which in excess leads to serious health risks, including:
🔴 Metabolic syndrome & insulin resistance
🔴 Type 2 diabetes & heart disease (see our Heart For Life scan)
🔴 Chronic inflammation & high blood pressure
🔴 Increased risk of cancers
Thanks to advanced high-resolution DEXA technology, VAT is now precisely measurable, distinguishing between subcutaneous fat and deeper visceral fat.
DEXA for Long-Term Health Monitoring
A Full Body DEXA Scan is not a one-time test—it is a powerful tracking tool. Over time, you can measure total and regional changes in fat, muscle, and bone to monitor the effectiveness of diet, exercise, or medical treatments.
Medication & Bone Loss: What You Should Know
Several medications increase the risk of bone and muscle loss, affecting overall body composition and increasing the likelihood of fractures. These include:
❌ Steroids (Cortisone, Prednisone)
❌ Cancer medications (for Breast & Prostate Cancer)
❌ Heartburn medications
❌ Hormonal contraceptives (e.g., Depo-Provera)
❌ Excessive Thyroid Hormone Replacement
❌ Anti-seizure & mood-altering medications
❌ Certain Blood Pressure medications
If you’re on long-term medication, a Full Body DEXA Scan can help monitor bone and muscle health over time.
Where to Get a Full Body DEXA Scan Near Me?
Looking for a Full Body DEXA Scan near you? We offer state-of-the-art DEXA scanning in Rosebank, Johannesburg.
🔹 Safe, non-invasive & radiation-minimal
🔹 Takes only 7 minutes
🔹 Immediate expert report analysis
✔ No preparation required – simply walk in for your scan.
✔ Non-invasive, painless & radiation-minimal – safe for all ages.
✔ Takes only 7 minutes – fast, accurate, and hassle-free.
✔ Comfortable & open scan table – no enclosed spaces or discomfort.
✔ Instant results – a comprehensive report is generated immediately, and one of our Specialist Doctors will assess your results on the same day.
Why a Full Body DEXA Scan Matters
📌 Bone Health & Osteoporosis:
- Worldwide, osteoporosis affects 200 million people. (International Osteoporosis Foundation)
- 1 in 3 women & 1 in 5 men over 50 will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture. (National Osteoporosis Foundation, USA)
- DEXA scans are the gold standard for bone mineral density (BMD) testing, with a 90% accuracy rate in predicting fracture risks. (Mayo Clinic)
📌 Obesity & Body Composition:
- Over 650 million adults worldwide are classified as obese, with rising concerns about visceral fat. (World Health Organization – WHO)
- Visceral fat is linked to a 3x higher risk of heart disease & Type 2 diabetes. (Harvard Medical School)
- DEXA scans provide a ±1% error margin in measuring body fat, making them more accurate than BMI or skinfold tests. (Journal of Clinical Densitometry)
📌 Athletic Performance & Fitness Tracking:
- DEXA scans detect muscle imbalances that increase injury risk by 40%. (Sports Medicine Journal, 2022)
- Athletes using DEXA scans improve training efficiency by 20% by tracking lean mass gains vs. fat loss. (National Strength & Conditioning Association – NSCA)
📌 Medication-Related Bone Loss:
- Long-term steroid use (e.g., Prednisone) increases osteoporosis risk by 50%. (Endocrine Society, USA)
- DEXA scans are recommended every 1-2 years for patients on high-risk medications like chemotherapy or thyroid replacement therapy. (American College of Rheumatology)
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