BMI... that strange number you may have encountered in the doctor's office one time that put you in some arbitrary category based on a formula related to your weight.

Technically speaking, your Body Mass Index (BMI)  is a simple numerical measure that relates a person's weight to their height. Most commonly, it's equal to your body weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height.

While BMI is a widely used screening tool due to its simplicity, it does not directly measure body fat percentage or distribution, and it doesn't differentiate between muscle and fat.

For example, a highly muscular person may have a higher BMI, indicating overweight or even obesity, despite having a low body fat percentage. 

For a more accurate assessment of body composition and health risks, especially in individuals with a high muscle mass, other methods like body composition scans are much more informative than a BMI number or even just measuring body weight on a scale. 

Mark, let's break down how a body composition scan can provide you with much more helpful, detailed information about your health:

A body composition scan assesses and quantifies the distribution of different components within your body, typically focusing on factors such as fat mass, lean muscle mass, bone density, and water content.

There are various techniques for conducting body composition scans, including:

• Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA): This technique measures the impedance (resistance) of electrical flow through the body to estimate body composition. 
• Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA): This method uses X-ray technology to differentiate between bone, fat, and lean tissue.
• Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP): This method measures body volume and, coupled with body weight, calculates body density and composition.
• Hydrostatic Weighing: This involves measuring body density by weighing a person in and out of water.
• 3D Body Scanning: Utilizing advanced imaging technology to create a three-dimensional model of your body, which can be analyzed for various composition metrics.

Most of our clients use the In Body Machine's BIA technique for its simplicity in reporting and ease of use during the reading. Check out this informative video from Shannon Morse on how to interpret results if you've had one:

A body composition scan is particularly useful if you are working on fitness or weight management goals to ensure that you're not losing muscle mass. We recommend once a month if you have a targeted weight loss goal and once every 6-12 months going forward to continue monitoring your health.

Remember, muscle mass is the best indicator of longevity. And if we aren't consuming enough protein + engaging in enough load bearing exercise like progressive strength training, we lose 3-5% of muscle mass every decade after age 30.

One of the best aspects of an In Body Scan is retrieving your BMR. Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) represents the amount of energy, measured in calories, that the body requires at rest to maintain basic physiological functions such as breathing, circulation, and cell production. In other words, it's the number of calories your body needs to perform essential functions while at complete rest.

Our clients who get scans and know their BMR helps us design a fool-proof, scientific blueprint to get you from A to Z with tools and education for lifetime adjustments. It's not for the whole world, it's not for one gender or age group only... this blueprint is created for unique YOU, and no two programs are alike.

Want to learn more? Visit callwithshannon.com to apply for a 1:1 coaching spot by January 31st 💚 Our prices increase Feb. 1, but if you book a call and sign up on the call, you'll get our 2023 pricing.

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