From the Guidelines
A patient seeking a body composition scan should consult their primary care physician first, who can provide a referral to appropriate specialists or facilities, such as hospitals, imaging centers, or specialized clinics, that offer Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scans, considered the gold standard for measuring bone density and body composition 1. To get a body composition scan, patients have several options:
- Primary care physicians can provide referrals to specialists or facilities with the necessary equipment
- Radiologists typically perform DEXA scans, which are considered the gold standard for measuring bone density and body composition 1
- Some sports medicine physicians, endocrinologists, or nutritionists may also offer body composition scans
- Many fitness centers and wellness clinics provide bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), a less accurate but more accessible option
- University research departments sometimes offer body composition testing as well It is essential for patients to check with their insurance provider beforehand, as coverage varies widely for these scans, and some may require medical necessity documentation while others might be considered elective and require out-of-pocket payment. The choice of facility or specialist depends on the type of scan needed, with DXA being the most accurate method for measuring body composition, as stated in the ESPEN consensus statement from 2015 1.
From the Research
Body Composition Scan Options
To get a body composition scan, a patient can visit the following professionals or facilities:
- A healthcare provider, such as a doctor or a nurse practitioner, who can refer them to a specialist or a facility that offers body composition scans 2, 3
- A registered dietitian or a nutrition specialist who can assess body composition as part of a nutritional evaluation 3
- A sports medicine physician or a physiologist who can use body composition scans to assess athletic performance and health 4
- A radiology department or an imaging center that offers dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, which can measure body composition, bone mineral density, and fat mass 2, 5, 6
Measurement Methods
The methods used to measure body composition include:
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, which are considered a reference technique in clinical practice 2, 5, 6
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which is widely used in epidemiological and clinical settings 2
- Hydrostatic weighing, which is a valid method but often not feasible in clinical settings 4
- Anthropometry, which involves measuring skinfolds and body circumference to estimate body composition 4