If you’ve had a DEXA scan at another clinic before, you may have noticed that the report you received didn’t go into detail about visceral fat. While you might have seen an overview of your body fat percentage or bone density, many DEXA scans simply don’t provide a comprehensive look at this critical fat.
Here are a few reasons why other clinics may overlook visceral fat:
1. Visceral Fat Isn't Always Included
Some DEXA scans only focus on your overall body fat percentage, leaving out important breakdowns of visceral fat. Without knowing exactly how much visceral fat you have, it’s difficult to understand the full impact it could be having on your health. At Body Scan, we ensure that visceral fat is clearly identified and measured, so you can get the most detailed report possible.
2. It’s a Complex Health Issue
Visceral fat is more complex than subcutaneous fat, and many clinics may shy away from discussing it in depth because it requires a bit more explanation. It’s not just about how much fat you have; it’s about how that fat impacts your metabolism, hormones, and overall health. We don’t believe in leaving you with just a set of numbers; we take the time to explain exactly what those numbers mean and why they matter.
3. It Takes Time to See Changes
Visceral fat doesn’t always respond to quick fixes. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which might shrink after a few weeks of dieting or exercise, visceral fat requires consistent, long-term effort to reduce. Because this process takes time, many clinics may be hesitant to focus too much on visceral fat, but at Body Scan, we make sure to provide realistic guidance and ongoing support to help you target it effectively.
Why You Should Care About Visceral Fat
Visceral fat is often referred to as "hidden fat" because it’s tucked away inside your abdomen, where it’s harder to detect. But just because it’s out of sight doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. Here are some key reasons why you need to pay attention to your visceral fat levels:
1. Visceral Fat Is Linked to Serious Health Risks
Excess visceral fat is a significant risk factor for a variety of chronic health conditions, such as:
Heart Disease: Visceral fat contributes to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Type 2 Diabetes: High levels of visceral fat can interfere with your body’s ability to respond to insulin, leading to insulin resistance and eventually Type 2 diabetes.
High Blood Pressure: The inflammation caused by excess visceral fat can negatively affect your cardiovascular system, contributing to high blood pressure.
These health risks aren’t always immediately obvious. Just because you don’t feel unwell doesn’t mean your visceral fat levels aren’t contributing to underlying issues. Regular scans at Body Scan help you stay ahead of potential health problems by tracking this critical fat and giving you insights into how to reduce it.
2. You Can Be a Healthy Weight and Still Have Dangerous Visceral Fat
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of visceral fat. Many people think that only those who are overweight need to worry about it, but that’s simply not the case. Even if you appear to be at a healthy weight, you could still have unhealthy levels of visceral fat. This is commonly seen in individuals who are within a "normal" weight range but still carry excess fat around their abdomen.
At Body Scan, we focus on more than just weight. Our scans give you a true understanding of your body’s composition, so you can identify whether your visceral fat levels are within a healthy range—no matter what your weight is.
3. You Can Take Action to Reduce Visceral Fat
The good news is that, unlike some other health risks, visceral fat is something you can actively work to reduce. With the right diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes, you can decrease your levels of visceral fat and improve your overall health. The strategies for reducing visceral fat include:
Exercise: Engaging in regular cardiovascular activity, strength training, and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) can be incredibly effective in burning visceral fat.
Nutrition: A healthy, balanced diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fibre can help reduce belly fat and improve overall health.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can increase the production of cortisol, a hormone that encourages fat storage around the abdomen. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, yoga, and mindfulness can help combat this.
Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for regulating your metabolism and controlling fat storage. Quality rest helps reduce visceral fat over time.
We know that tracking visceral fat is just one part of the journey. At Body Scan, we’ll work with you to develop a customised plan to help you reduce visceral fat and improve your overall health, all backed by expert guidance and support.
Go Beyond the Basics with Our Exclusive BodyCompPro Reports
While many DEXA scans just scratch the surface, Body Scan goes the extra mile with our exclusive BodyCompProreports, which provide a wealth of information not available in most standard DEXA scans. Our reports give you an in-depth analysis of your body composition, including your visceral fat levels, and provide additional insights that are crucial for understanding your health.
1. Comprehensive Visceral Fat Insights
Unlike traditional DEXA reports, our BodyCompPro reports offer a detailed breakdown of your visceral fat levels, including how they compare to healthy norms for your age and gender. This allows us to pinpoint whether your visceral fat is a health risk, and what steps you can take to reduce it.
2. Detailed Regional Fat Distribution
We go beyond just telling you your body fat percentage. Our reports include detailed breakdowns of fat distribution in specific areas, such as your abdomen, arms, and legs. This information helps you understand how fat is distributed across your body, which can help you target specific areas for improvement.
3. Health Risk Assessment
The BodyCompPro report also includes health risk indicators that are directly tied to your visceral fat levels. These insights allow us to provide you with a clearer picture of how your body is performing and help you make informed decisions about your health moving forward.
Age Match
At BodyScan, we take pride in offering a unique and personalised approach to body composition analysis. Unlike other clinics in the UK, we are the only company that provides age-matched comparisons in our detailed reports. This means we don’t just show you the numbers; we help you understand them in context by comparing your body’s data to others of the same age group. This innovative feature allows you to see how your body composition measures up against peers, giving you a clearer picture of your health and progress over time. It’s all part of our commitment to offering more insightful, relevant, and tailored information to help you make the best decisions for your health and fitness journey.
Don’t Settle for Less – Book with Us at Body Scan for the Ultimate Blueprint of Your Body
When it comes to understanding your body’s health, don’t settle for a standard scan that only gives you part of the story. At Body Scan, we offer more than just a basic body fat measurement. Our exclusive BodyCompPro reports provide you with a detailed blueprint of your body, including precise measurements of visceral fat, muscle mass, and bone density. Armed with this comprehensive information, you’ll have the knowledge you need to take control of your health and make informed choices. Book with us today and get a complete, personalised view of your body—because you deserve more than just the basics.