DEXA scan results

A scale is a rather crude measure. It’s easy to measure your weight, but what does that number actually mean? A better measure of body composition is called a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. The DEXA uses two low-energy X-ray beams to assess bone density and soft tissue. It is an excellent tool that details how much muscle and fat you have and where you store it.

My first DEXA scan was in June of 2020. Curiously, most of my numbers haven’t changed much in almost three years. Let me summarize with the cliché of the Good, Bad, and Ugly.

The Good
My bone density has increased. A T-score compares your current level of bone density with a 30-year-old of the same sex. It is a standard deviation measurement with -1 to +1 being the normal range of one standard deviation. The more positive the T-score, the higher the bone density. My previous T-score was -6, and my current T-score is 0. Based on a projection, I’m not likely to hit osteopenia (boneless) territory of -1 until about age 75.

My lean mass of 123 lbs is in the safe range. At least I’m not under-muscled. I’m just carrying too much extra fat.
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The Bad
I’ve gained six pounds. My total body fat percentage has not changed, and I’m still above the average 60th percentile of 28% for a male my age. The extra six pounds is nearly all fat, with a slight increase in lean muscle mass. According to the stats, I need to target a weight of 170 lbs, which is still 36 pounds away.

The Ugly
Of all the numbers, the most concerning one is visceral fat. Most fat is stored subcutaneously, meaning below the skin. Certain ectomorphs (body types) store fat in different places, and the most dangerous place to store fat is in the belly near the internal organs. This is called visceral fat, and the target is no more than 1 lb. The upper range on the chart is 4.5 lbs. My visceral fat increased from 7.23 lbs to 9.3 lbs. Without question, this is the most concerning number and one I need to target with prejudice.

The report gave me a body score of C-. I’ve beaten this body to hell, not with extreme sports or drugs but with excessive food and inactivity. But it’s still hanging in there. This is my warning to take my health even more seriously.