Total Body Composition
Evidence based research has highlighted that the distribution of fat throughout the body is a key indicator of cardio-metabolic health. The ratio of subcutaneous fat (cosmetic fat) vs visceral fat (the fat that can accumulate around the internal organs) is a true predictor of cardio-metabolic risk, including the development of diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. It is important to note the difference between "fat loss" both in the visceral and subcutaneous regions, and "weight loss" seen on the scales.
Waist circumference has to date been the measurement of choice to best predict visceral adiposity and therefore cardiometabolic risk with limited reliability and specificity. Adelaide BodyScan houses Australia's 1st revolutionary GE iDEXA. As the gold standard in Total Body Composition (TBC) measurement, the iDEXA ensures the greatest precision in the differentiation of visceral and total body fat when analysing the scan.
TBC measurement using the iDEXA is an integral tool in the assessment, monitoring and management of cardiometabolic health and wellbeing, providing immediate analysis of key health indicators. It scans the whole body from head to toe using minimal exposure to radiation, differentiating between varying densities of body tissues, including muscle, fat and bone. Adelaide BodyScan's iDEXA is the most accurate and reliable tool for tracking fat and muscle changes in individuals.
A detailed analysis and report of your results will be provided by our experienced technicians immediately after the scan . At Adelaide BodyScan our in-house specialist endocrinologist who specialises in the management of obesity and cardiometabolic disease is available for any further support or education that may be required.
Whether you are wanting to make significant lifestyle changes to improve your overall health or wanting to track even small changes in your body composition for specific sport and fitness goals, a TBC is the most precise, reliable and safe method to meet individual needs.
A TBC scan is non-invasive and requires no preparation. Comfortable clothing is recommended when undertaking a TBC scan. Any metal trims or accessories should be removed prior to your scan. The scan takes just 10-15 minutes.
Visceral Fat
Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) or the fat that accumulates deep within the abdomen, has been associated with the abdominally obese phenotype and increased risk of cardio-metabolic diseases.
VAT is highly vascularised, contains large fat cells, and secrets disproportionate amounts of inflammatory markers into the blood circulation relative to subcutaneous adipose tissue. The combined location of the VAT, which has direct access to the liver, implicates VAT as a pathogenic fat depot.
Numerous clinical studies have shown statistically significant associations between VAT and cardio-metabolic disease including the Framingham Heart Study, the Dalla Heart Study, the Health Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) and the Japanese American Community Diabetes Study.
These studies, which span a wide variety of gender, age, and the ethnic backgrounds all show associations between VAT and cardio-metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and the development of cardiovascular disorders like heart attacks and strokes.
