Total Body Composition Scan Sydney

Q: Localised or “Hidden” Fat Distribution

Overview: Fat doesn’t accumulate evenly. Some individuals store excess fat deep in the trunk or around internal organs despite looking slim – a condition sometimes referred to as “TOFI” (Thin Outside, Fat Inside).Causes: Genetics, stress, high refined-carbohydrate diets, sedentary habits, poor sleep, hormonal factors.Risks: Elevated visceral fat increases the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction.Treatment options: Lifestyle intervention, resistance and interval training, balanced nutrition, stress reduction, periodic DEXA tracking to confirm fat loss in the right regions.

Q: Generalised Overfat / Obesity

Overview: An imbalance where fat mass outweighs lean tissue across the body. Causes: Caloric surplus, low activity, poor metabolic regulation, medication effects. Risks: Insulin resistance, fatty liver, cardiovascular disease, joint overload. Treatment options: Structured diet and exercise programs, medical review, DEXA monitoring for fat vs lean ratio improvement.

Q: Sarcopenia (Muscle Loss)

Overview: Loss of skeletal muscle mass with age or inactivity.Causes: Ageing, inadequate protein intake, hormonal decline, disuse.Risks: Frailty, slower metabolism, poorer fat control, reduced functional ability.Treatment options: Strength training, higher protein diet, vitamin D optimisation, follow-up DEXA scans to monitor lean gains.

Q: Muscle Asymmetry and Imbalance

Overview: Uneven muscle development between limbs or regions, often unnoticed until injury occurs. Causes: One-sided training, old injuries, posture imbalance, repetitive motion. Risks: Strain, poor performance efficiency, compensation injuries. Treatment options: Corrective exercise, physiotherapy, repeat segmental DEXA scans.

Total Body Composition Scan

INTRODUCTION

Understand Your Body – Beyond the Scales

A Total Body Composition Analysis is the most accurate way to understand what your body is truly made of – not just how much it weighs. Using advanced dual-energy X-ray technology, the scan measures fat mass, lean (muscle) mass, and bone mass with unmatched precision.

Unlike bathroom scales or handheld devices, a Total Body Composition Analysis scan reveals exactly where fat and muscle are distributed throughout your body. This allows you to identify hidden health risks, track real progress, and make informed changes to your diet and training programs.

How It Works

The scan takes only ten minutes. You’ll lie comfortably on a padded table while the DEXA arm glides slowly above you. The radiation dose is very low – less than a cross-country flight – but the insights are invaluable.

The Results

The results provide a detailed regional analysis showing:

Total and percentage body fat

Lean (muscle) mass in each limb and trunk region
Visceral fat around your internal organs
Bone mineral content and overall body composition ratios
Colour-coded graphics illustrating regional variations

This level of detail enables accurate tracking for athletes, weight-loss clients, rehabilitating patients, or anyone serious about long-term health.

Body-Composition Concerns

Common Body-Composition Concerns

Most people rely on body weight or BMI, but these measures can be deceptive. Two individuals may weigh the same, yet have dramatically different internal compositions – one fit and muscular, the other carrying high fat mass despite appearing lean. DEXA scans are designed to uncover these hidden differences.

Localised or “Hidden” Fat Distribution

Overview: Fat doesn’t accumulate evenly. Some individuals store excess fat deep in the trunk or around internal organs despite looking slim – a condition sometimes referred to as “TOFI” (Thin Outside, Fat Inside).
Causes: Genetics, stress, high refined-carbohydrate diets, sedentary habits, poor sleep, hormonal factors.
Risks: Elevated visceral fat increases the likelihood of heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction.
Treatment options: Lifestyle intervention, resistance and interval training, balanced nutrition, stress reduction, periodic DEXA tracking to confirm fat loss in the right regions.

Generalised Overfat / Obesity

Overview: An imbalance where fat mass outweighs lean tissue across the body.
Causes: Caloric surplus, low activity, poor metabolic regulation, medication effects.
Risks: Insulin resistance, fatty liver, cardiovascular disease, joint overload.
Treatment options: Structured diet and exercise programs, medical review, DEXA monitoring for fat vs lean ratio improvement.

Sarcopenia (Muscle Loss)

Overview: Loss of skeletal muscle mass with age or inactivity.
Causes: Ageing, inadequate protein intake, hormonal decline, disuse.
Risks: Frailty, slower metabolism, poorer fat control, reduced functional ability.
Treatment options: Strength training, higher protein diet, vitamin D optimisation, follow-up DEXA scans to monitor lean gains.

Muscle Asymmetry and Imbalance

Overview: Uneven muscle development between limbs or regions, often unnoticed until injury occurs.
Causes: One-sided training, old injuries, posture imbalance, repetitive motion.
Risks: Strain, poor performance efficiency, compensation injuries.
Treatment options: Corrective exercise, physiotherapy, repeat segmental DEXA scans.

Why It Matters

The DEXA body scan is not about appearance; it’s about precision and prevention. It allows you to see where your fat truly sits – under the skin, within muscle, or around vital organs – and how your muscle is distributed across your body.

For athletes, this means tailoring training to build balanced strength. For those on a health-improvement journey, it highlights whether fat loss is occurring in the right regions (particularly around the abdomen). And for everyone, it provides accountability through measurable, science-based feedback.

Why Choose Bone Muscle Scan

Bone Muscle Scan brings together clinical precision and performance insight. Our experienced clinical team interpret your data allowing you to gain a complete understanding of your physiology – empowering smarter training, recovery and long-term results.