For many people, weight becomes a source of frustration. You can be eating well, exercising consistently, and still feel unsure whether your efforts are actually improving your health. The problem is not effort. The problem is how we measure progress.
In my practice, I see patients whose numbers on paper do not match what I see clinically. I have patients who are extremely muscular yet labeled “overweight” by BMI. I also see patients who fall into a healthy BMI range, but whose body composition tells a very different story.
In both cases, relying on weight alone can create confusion and false assumptions about health.
That is why I encourage patients to reframe the question. Instead of focusing only on weight, I want you to understand what your weight is made of, including lean mass and body fat. That knowledge is power.
Without a better understanding of body composition, it becomes very hard to see where you truly are and how best to move forward.
At PartnerMD, we often remind patients that the number on the scale tells only a small part of the story. True insight comes from understanding body composition, not just body weight. That is where a DEXA body composition scan becomes such a powerful tool.
A DEXA body composition scan is a noninvasive imaging study that uses very low-dose X-ray technology, similar to what has long been used for bone density testing. Instead of focusing only on bones, a body composition DEXA scan evaluates the entire body.
It measures:
More importantly, it shows how these components are distributed throughout the body, not just how much of each you have. That distribution matters when it comes to metabolic health, physical performance, and long-term disease risk.
Rather than guessing what your weight represents, a DEXA scan provides a clear, objective breakdown of what your body is actually made of.
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is calculated using only height and weight. While it can be useful at a population level, it often fails individuals.
I routinely see patients whose BMI suggests they are overweight, yet on clinical exam, it is clear they are lean and muscular. I also see patients whose BMI falls within a healthy range but whose body composition does not reflect optimal health. In both situations, BMI alone does not tell the full story.
BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat. It provides no insight into how weight is distributed throughout the body. That makes it a blunt and often misleading tool for individual health decisions.
Muscle and fat are not equal tissues. Muscle plays a critical role in metabolism, strength, balance, and healthy aging, while excess body fat is associated with increased health risk. When we look only at weight, we lose that distinction.
One of the most common patterns I see in practice is patients who have successfully lost weight, but much of that loss has come at the expense of lean muscle rather than body fat.
From a health perspective, that is not the outcome we want. Loss of muscle can slow metabolism, reduce strength, and make it harder to maintain long-term health as we age.
A DEXA body composition scan allows us to see exactly what has changed. It shows whether progress reflects fat loss, muscle preservation, or unintended muscle loss. That clarity helps guide smarter decisions so patients can lose weight in a way that supports strength, resilience, and long-term vitality.
Not all body fat behaves the same way.
Some fat is stored just beneath the skin, which we call subcutaneous fat, and is often biologically normal. Other fat, known as visceral fat, accumulates around the internal organs of the abdomen, including the liver and intestines. This type of fat is especially concerning.
Visceral fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and chronic inflammation. A standard scale cannot detect it. BMI cannot detect it either. A DEXA scan can.
By showing where fat is stored, DEXA helps us better assess risk and create targeted strategies to reduce unhealthy fat while preserving muscle.
A DEXA body composition scan is quick, noninvasive, and painless. During the scan, you lie comfortably on a table while the scanner passes over your body to collect detailed information about your body composition. There are no injections, no enclosed spaces, and no discomfort.
At PartnerMD in the Richmond area, we use METAFITRX for this purpose, and the scan is most useful when the results are interpreted in the context of your goals and health history.
The scan uses a very low dose of X-ray technology. For most patients, the experience is straightforward and easy, and the results provide valuable insight that can guide more personalized and effective health decisions.
When a DEXA scan is used for body composition, it is typically considered an out-of-pocket medical expense rather than a service covered by insurance. Across most U.S. markets, the cost for a stand-alone body composition DEXA scan generally ranges from $75 to $300+.
Prices vary based on the provider and what’s included. High-volume wellness studios often charge less for the scan alone, while medical practices and imaging centers may charge more due to the addition of professional interpretation. Location, equipment, and the depth of the report can also affect the final price.
A DEXA body composition scan is not only for people focused on weight loss. It is for anyone who wants a clearer understanding of their health.
You may benefit from a DEXA scan if you:
At PartnerMD, we work with patients every day who gain confidence and clarity once they understand what their body composition truly looks like.
A DEXA body composition scan is appropriate for many people, but it is not necessary for everyone. Individuals who are pregnant or may be pregnant should not undergo a DEXA scan due to the use of X-ray technology, even though the radiation dose is very low.
In addition, people who are not interested in using detailed body composition data to guide health decisions may not find the scan helpful. A DEXA scan is most valuable when the information is used to inform lifestyle, nutrition, or training choices in partnership with a physician.
Your doctor can help determine whether a DEXA scan is appropriate based on your health status, goals, and individual circumstances.
The ideal frequency depends on where you are starting and what your goals are.
For most individuals, repeating a DEXA scan annually is adequate. If someone has made significant lifestyle changes over a three- to six-month period and wants to understand how those changes have affected body composition, repeating the scan in six months can be reasonable. Younger individuals who are maintaining healthy habits may only need a scan every two to three years.
Your physician can help determine the appropriate timing based on your health status and goals.
A DEXA scan is not about judgment. It is about understanding.
At PartnerMD, we use body composition data to help patients create realistic, individualized plans that protect muscle, reduce health risk, and support long-term vitality. When paired with physician guidance and health coaching, this information becomes a powerful foundation for sustainable change.
Health is not defined by a single number. When you understand your body composition, you gain the clarity needed to move forward with confidence, purpose, and peace of mind.
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