What is body composition testing?
Body composition measurement involves calculating the proportions of fat and lean tissue in the body. Body composition testing is a valuable tool for determining body fat percentage and recommending an appropriate body weight. Our lab offers two types of body composition testing: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and the Bod Pod, which uses air displacement technology to measure your body composition. DXA is considered the most accurate method and is often referred to as the Gold Standard in body composition testing. In addition to body composition results, a DXA scan also provides information on bone density. While our laboratory aims to provide the most reliable and valid body composition assessments through the Bod Pod and DXA, we also offer additional forms of body composition assessments upon request, including skinfold assessment and hydrostatic weighing.
What to expect?
Changing facilities are available in the lab. Please do not consume any food or drinks for 3 hours prior to testing; a light meal is preferred at that time. For the DXA scan, wear comfortable clothing, and for the Bod Pod, please choose tight-fitting clothing.
DXA scan information
We have recently transitioned from a GE DXA system to a Hologic DXA system. It is important to understand that measurements such as bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and lean mass can differ between these two systems. Research consistently shows that GE DXA systems tend to report higher values for these measures compared to Hologic systems, even when scans are performed on the same person (Park et al., 2021; Shepherd et al., 2012; Vendrami et al.,2024). These differences are due to variations in hardware, calibration, and proprietary analysis algorithms, and there is currently no universal reference standard that allows direct comparison of results between the two manufacturers (Crabtree et al., 2017; Shepherd et al., 2012; Vendrami et al., 2024).
With this in mind, if you have previously had a DXA scan from our lab on the GE system, it is not recommended that you compare new data acquired from the Hologic to any previous GE scan you have acquired from our lab. The results you receive moving forward will be based on Hologic system data and will establish a new baseline for future tracking.
Pricing
The DXA test is the suggested bookable service, and costs $66.00.
BodPod Test Information
The BodPod is a body composition assessment that uses air displacement plethysmography (ADP) to measure the proportion of fat mass and lean mass in the body.
Body composition is divided into two components:
- Fat mass – all adipose (fat) tissue in the body
- Lean mass – including muscle, bone, organs, and body fluids
The test calculates these components and reports them as percentages of total body mass, providing a clear picture of overall body composition.
BodPod testing is safe, non-invasive, and efficient, with a full assessment completed in approximately 10 minutes. It is highly accurate and suitable for a wide range of individuals, including those who are obese, elderly, living with disabilities, or children.
The system also offers excellent reliability, making it ideal for tracking changes in body composition over time.
Pricing
A BodPod test costs $48.00.