Many people use body fat scans to get a better understanding of their health beyond just weight or BMI. These scans can provide useful details about body composition, helping individuals track progress over time.
Knowing which measurements to focus on during a scan helps you make more informed decisions about your health and fitness goals. To get started, find a body fat scanning device in your location so you can see which types of results matter most for you.
Body Fat Percentage
Body fat percentage tells how much of a person’s body is made up of fat compared to everything else, like muscles and bones. This number is given as a percent of total body weight.
Knowing body fat percentage is important because it gives a clearer picture of health than weight alone. People with the same weight can have very different body fat levels.
The measurement can be found using different methods, such as calipers or special scanning tools. Each method may give slightly different results, but the main goal is to estimate how much of the body is fat.
Tracking body fat percentage over time can help people understand changes in their body, set goals, and make choices about eating or exercise. This number is one of the key results people look at during a body fat scan.
Visceral Fat Level
Visceral fat is the fat that sits deep inside the abdomen, surrounding the organs. This type of fat is different from the fat that is just under the skin.
Measuring visceral fat is important because higher amounts can increase a person’s chance of developing type 2 diabetes and liver problems. It is often used to track a person’s health risks after a body fat scan.
Some scans estimate visceral fat by using data from certain areas of the body, such as the waist and hips. Waist measurements that are larger may point to more visceral fat.
A lower visceral fat level is linked to a healthier body. People with less visceral fat often have lower risks for many health conditions.
During a body fat scan, keeping an eye on visceral fat level helps someone track how their fat is stored and how it may impact long-term health.
Lean Muscle Mass
Lean muscle mass is one of the key numbers measured during a body fat scan. This measurement shows how much weight in the body comes from muscle instead of fat or bone.
Knowing lean muscle mass helps people track muscle changes when exercising or making lifestyle adjustments. It can also support fitness goals by giving a clear picture of progress with strength or muscle-building routines.
A scan separates muscle from other tissue, making it easier for someone to see trends over time. This makes it possible to notice muscle loss or gain, which may not always show up on the scale.
Having a healthy amount of lean muscle is linked to good movement, balance, and physical ability. Understanding changes in muscle mass can help guide choices for diet and activity.
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Basal Metabolic Rate, or BMR, is the number of calories the body needs to perform its basic functions while at rest. These functions include breathing, circulating blood, and maintaining body temperature.
BMR accounts for most of the calories the body burns each day, even when a person is not active. This means that BMR is very helpful to know when looking at diet and exercise plans.
A body fat scan often provides a BMR measurement as part of the results. Knowing this number can help people understand how many calories they might burn in a normal day without extra activity.
People may use their BMR to plan meals or set fitness goals. Since BMR varies from one person to another, it gives a more personal view of daily calorie needs.
Fat Mass
Fat mass is the total amount of fat in a person’s body. This number is an important measurement that body fat scans provide.
Knowing fat mass can help people understand their health risks. Too much body fat can increase the chances of problems like heart disease or type 2 diabetes.
Fat mass is measured in pounds or kilograms. The scan separates this value from other types of tissue, such as muscle and bone.
Tracking fat mass over time can help show how a person’s body changes with exercise or diet. It’s useful for people who want to lose excess fat or check how a health plan is working.
It’s normal for people to have different fat mass levels. Age, gender, and activity level all play a part in these differences.
Fat-Free Mass
Fat-free mass is the part of the body that does not include any fat. It is made up of muscle, bones, water, skin, and internal organs. Understanding fat-free mass helps people see how much of their weight comes from tissue other than fat.
About half of fat-free mass comes from the muscles. The rest includes bones, skin, and organs. For most people, learning about their fat-free mass gives a clearer picture of their overall health.
This measurement can show changes that happen with fitness and diet. If someone gains muscle or loses fat, fat-free mass numbers help track these shifts. People often use this number to set healthy goals for exercise and nutrition.
Conclusion
Body fat scans can tell a lot about a person’s health beyond just weight. Key measurements include total body fat percentage, fat mass, and lean muscle mass.
Waist circumference and where fat is carried also help point out health risks. Techniques like DEXA scans offer accurate readings for these measurements.
When looking at results, people should focus on both the numbers and changes over time. These measurements can help guide smart choices for fitness and health.
