“Belly fat in midlife can mean a higher risk of dementia in later life, and an apple shape can mean a higher risk of heart disease and high-cholesterol,” says Peter Schwagly, owner of Bodycomp Imaging in Vancouver, British Columbia. “This is important information for people to know. Post-menopausal women should also be measuring their fat distribution to make sure they’re counteracting the dangers of muscle loss and fat gain.”Bodycomp Imaging, specializing in DXA scanning, is able to determine how much fat, bone, and muscle mass is distributed throughout the body. The scanner takes a ‘low energy x-ray’ of patients’ limbs and torsos, providing information necessary to reduce the risk of disease, diabetes, high-blood pressure, and obesity.

Patients are then provided with a readout showing exactly where the highest concentration of fat can be found. We’ve always known that fat causes health concerns, but we never realized so much can be learned from where that fat is,” says Schwagly. Visit www.bodycomp.ca for more information.

Reprinted with permission of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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