What Is Body Composition Indicator Scanning?

How do you keep track of your body changes during your transformational journey? Sometimes a person’s weight doesn’t change, but they have gained muscle mass while losing weight from fat stores. Maybe you can see this immediately when you look in the mirror. Maybe it takes a little longer. When working to build muscle, how easily do you recognize those changes? How do you track your progress through your journey?

How does a Body Composition Scan Work

I want to share with you some information about Body Composition Indicator scanning now available at CHI Health. This simple screening exam provides you, the patient, a detailed report on your bone, lean muscle and visceral fat masses, thereby offering comprehensive insight to your body’s physical form. You may not be aware, but visceral fat is not the same as subcutaneous fat. This is the fat that surrounds organs and has been linked to metabolic activity, as well as associated with diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and others.

Body Composition scanning paints a great picture for anyone looking to make a change. Whether you want to build muscle or lose excess weight, the Body Composition Indicator scan will help provide insight at that particular moment in your journey. After some time, you can even repeat the study to track your progress.

It is important to note that you do need a physician’s order for this exam.

Body Composition Scanning is Brief and Easy

The exam itself is brief and non-invasive. It takes roughly 40 minutes from the moment you enter the room to when you walk out the door. There are some preparation instructions for the scan that will be reviewed at the time of scheduling. Once you arrive, you will lie flat on your back on the imaging table while the camera moves over you. To best analyze your exam, imaging staff will ask you a few questions regarding your health history. It’s truly that easy. After your images are complete, our technologists will spend a few more minutes performing image analysis, and you will leave with a copy of your report and a report guide in hand.

To learn more about this exam and determine if it is right for you, please consult with your provider or CHI Health's Weight Management department. They can also help arrange scheduling.