DEXA Body Composition & Bone Density Assessment
Assessment Stage: Initial Assessment
Included in Future Health Assessment: Yes
Partner: PMQ Health
Provider: PMQ Health
Approximate Cost: Included in the Future Health Assessment
What is it?
Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) is considered the gold standard for measuring body composition and bone mineral density. Unlike standard scales, DEXA differentiates between fat mass, lean muscle and bone, providing a comprehensive assessment of body composition and skeletal health.
The scan is quick, painless and uses a very low dose of radiation—significantly less than a standard chest X-ray.
At Future Health, DEXA is used not simply to assess weight, but to evaluate the underlying components of health that influence future disease risk, physical capability and healthy ageing.
What does it measure?
Body Composition
-
The proportion of your body weight made up of fat tissue. Higher body fat levels may increase the risk of:
Cardiovascular disease
Type 2 diabetes
Fatty liver disease
Certain cancers
-
Measures total lean tissue throughout the body, including skeletal muscle. Lean mass is essential for:
Strength
Mobility
Metabolic health
Healthy ageing
-
Measures lean muscle in the arms and legs. ALM is one of the most important measures used to assess muscle health and identify low muscle mass (sarcopenia).
-
ALM adjusted for height. ALMI is internationally recognised for diagnosing low muscle mass and assessing age-related muscle decline.
-
Compares fat distribution around the abdomen (android) with the hips and thighs (gynoid). Higher ratios indicate greater central fat accumulation and are associated with increased risk of:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
-
Estimates the amount of fat surrounding the abdominal organs. Visceral fat is one of the strongest predictors of:
Cardiovascular disease
Insulin resistance
Fatty liver disease
Chronic inflammation
-
Assesses the distribution of muscle and fat across different body regions. Regional analysis helps identify:
Muscle asymmetry
Fat distribution
Areas of muscle loss
Changes following training or weight loss
Bone Health
-
Measures bone density in the lower spine.
Used to assess osteoporosis and fracture risk.
-
Measures bone density at the hip.
One of the most important predictors of future hip fracture risk.
-
Provides an overall assessment of hip bone strength.
Why is it important?
DEXA provides information that cannot be obtained from body weight or BMI alone.
It allows earlier identification of:
Sarcopenia (loss of muscle)
Osteoporosis
Excess visceral fat
Poor body composition
Increased cardiometabolic risk
Maintaining healthy muscle and bone throughout adulthood is one of the strongest predictors of independence and healthy ageing.
Who may benefit?
Recommended for all adults.
Particularly valuable for:
Adults over 40 years
Weight management
Menopause
Osteoporosis risk
Healthy ageing
Athletes
GLP-1 therapy
Strength training programmes
What happens during the scan?
You lie comfortably on the scanning table while the scanner passes slowly over your body.
The scan takes approximately 10–15 minutes.
No injections or contrast are required.
Preparation
Wear comfortable clothing without metal where possible.
Remove jewellery and metal objects.
Avoid calcium supplements on the morning of the scan where advised.
Pregnancy should be disclosed before imaging.
Advantages
Gold standard body composition assessment
Gold standard bone density assessment
Highly accurate and reproducible
Very low radiation exposure
Detects changes over time
Guides personalised exercise and nutrition recommendations
Limitations
Provides structural rather than functional information.
Does not measure muscle strength or cardiovascular fitness.
Results should be interpreted alongside physical performance, nutrition and blood biomarkers.
How Future Health uses this investigation
DEXA forms the foundation of your physical health assessment.
Results are interpreted together with:
InBody Analysis
VALD Performance Assessment
VO₂ Master Assessment
Nutrition Assessment
Blood biomarkers
Physical activity
Menopause status (where relevant)
This allows personalised recommendations aimed at improving muscle mass, reducing visceral fat, maintaining bone health and supporting healthy ageing.
Related Future Health Domains
Strength & Physical Capability
Cardiometabolic Health
Bone Health
Nutrition
Healthy Ageing
Future Health Summary
DEXA is one of the most comprehensive assessments of body composition and bone health available. By measuring muscle, fat and bone separately, it provides valuable insight into your current health and helps guide strategies to improve strength, reduce disease risk and preserve independence throughout life.