InBody Scan vs DEXA: How they work and which one’s best

In order to keep fit and stay healthy, it’s important to regularly measure your body composition. But how do you reliably do this? Well, there are two popular scans that are widely used in the health industry: InBody scans and DEXA scans. InBody scans utilize bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to estimate body composition, while DEXA scans use dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure bone density, fat mass, and lean mass. In this article, we’ll analyze both of them and the benefits of each, before recommending which method you should use.

What is an InBody Scan?

InBody 570 Body Composition Analyzer

But before we go any further, it’s crucial for you to understand how each method works. And to do that we’ll start by looking at what an InBody scan is. In simple terms, an InBody scan is a non-invasive body composition analysis that provides a detailed breakdown of your body composition. The analysis provided shared information about the amount of lean muscle mass, body fat, and water in the body. The InBody scan is performed using a specialized machine that sends a small electrical current through the body to measure the amount of resistance in different tissues. Pretty savvy technology if you ask me! And best of all, this technology is based on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and is considered one of the most accurate methods of measuring body composition. Now because an electrical current passes through your body when using the Inbody Scan, you may be wondering ‘are Inbody Scans safe?’ And the answer to that question is yes. This is because the electrical current is harmless and you won’t feel a thing whilst you’re being scanned. So there’s nothing to worry about!

Benefits of InBody Scans

There are a number of reasons as to why you should consider using an InBody scan, and these include the following:

Non-invasive: One of the best things about InBody scans is the fact that they’re non-invasive. So you don’t need to worry about needles, insertions or other invasive procedures!

Quick and easy: If you’re a busy person, you’ll love InBody scans. That’s because they literally only take a few minutes to complete, whilst they’re super easy to use.

Accurate: The degree of accuracy with InBody scans is surprisingly high, especially for a procedure that only takes a few minutes to complete. Many consider it to be one of the most accurate methods of measuring body composition.

Detailed information: Not only are InBody scans pretty accurate, but they also provide detailed information about your body composition. This includes data on the amount of lean muscle mass, body fat, and water in your body.

Customizable: As if all of these benefits weren’t enough, InBody scans can be customized. That’s right, you can configure them to provide information on specific areas of your body, such as your arms, legs, or trunk.

Generally speaking, InBody scans are a quick, non-invasive, and accurate method of measuring body composition. They’re suitable for anyone interested in knowing more about their body.They provide an impressive amount of data, and surface detailed information about an individual's body composition that can be customized to specific areas of the body. It’s worth noting that hydration levels and clothing can have a subtle impact on the results you’ll receive, however these factors can be controlled to ensure the most accurate results possible.

What is a DEXA Scan?

So we’ve looked at Inbody scans in quite a lot of detail. But what about DEXA scans? And what is a DEXA scan? Well, DEXA stands for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. This scan is a diagnostic test that uses X-rays to measure bone density and body composition. It basically works by sending a thin, invisible beam of x-rays with two energy peaks through your bones whilst they’re being analyzed. One peak is absorbed mainly by soft tissue and the other by bone. It’s a test that can also be used to diagnose osteoporosis and assess the risk of fractures.

How Does a DEXA Scan Work?

During a DEXA scan, the patient lies on a padded table while a scanner passes over the body, emitting low-dose X-rays. The scanner measures the amount of radiation that passes through the body, which is used to calculate bone density and body composition. It’s a test that typically takes between 10 and 30 minutes to complete.

Pros of DEXA Scans

Dexa scans offer several benefits, including the following:

Non-invasive: Like the InBody scan, Dexa scans are non-invasive and relatively quick to complete.

Relatively safe: Although these scans use radiation, none of it remains in your body after the scan.

Accurate: DEXA scans are highly accurate in measuring body composition and are considered by many as the gold standard.

Detailed: DEXA scans can detect small changes in bone density over time.

Cons of DEXA Scans

However, there are a few cons associated with the use of Dexa scans, and it’s worth taking note of these. They include:

Radiation: Exposure to a small amount of radiation (although none of this stays in your body afterwards),

Cost: Can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance.

Complications: Require specialized equipment and trained technicians.

Risks: They might not be suitable for people who are pregnant or have certain medical conditions

InBody Scan vs DEXA: Which is Better?

Both methods are fast, trustworthy, detailed methods of obtaining information about your body composition. However, if you had to pick one, we’d recommend using an InBody scan over a DEXA scan and here’s why:

Convenience

InBody scans are quick and convenient, taking only a few minutes to complete. DEXA scans, on the other hand, can take up to 30 minutes to complete. And during this timeframe, you’ll be required to lie still the whole time which could prove to be inconvenient.

Cost

InBody scans are significantly more affordable than DEXA scans, which can cost hundreds of dollars per session! Conversely InBody scans are available at many gyms, fitness centers and health clinics. Each session will cost you no more than a few dollars (and may even be free if you’re lucky!).

Accuracy

We mentioned previously that InBody scans are cheaper. So you may expect their accuracy to be lower right? No, InBody scans are pretty much as accurate at measuring body composition as DEXA scans are. A study by the Mayo Clinic found that InBody scans were 98% correlated to DEXA scans when measuring fat-free mass and body fat percentage [1], which is considered the gold standard for body composition measurement. InBody scans can provide precise measurements of fat, muscle, and bone without the need for radiation exposure and at a fraction of the price!

InBody 770 Body Composition and Body Water Analyzer

Final Thoughts

Both InBody scans and DEXA scans are trusted, reliable methods for measuring body composition. However, while DEXA scans are considered to be the gold standard, InBody scans are significantly cheaper to use, more convenient and provide data about the body that is equally as accurate. For these reasons we strongly recommend using InBody scans.

View our collection of InBody scans >>

https://aspenjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jpen.1994