Body Composition Laboratory

Student laying down on table for body scan.

Know your true form

This lab can measure bone density and total body fat composition.

Body composition gives a better report on overall health than Body Mass Index or scales.

Using the lab: students

As a student, you can use the Body Composition Laboratory for class projects and research.

A certified faculty member must supervise you whenever you use the lab.

Using the lab: general public

The lab is also open to the general public.

You must have a doctor’s order to receive a scan. Orders may be: 

Cost (for general public): $75.

All services must be paid by check or money order.

Body Composition Laboratory

Schedule an appointment

To schedule a DEXA scan, please call or text Kim Robertson at 417-350-4318.

Address
Missouri State University
Department of Public Health and Sports Medicine
609 E. Cherry St.
Springfield, MO. 65897

Lab features: Lunar iDXA (for DEXA scan)

A Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is the gold standard for body composition.

DEXA is a three-component test that separates:

  • Adipose tissue
  • Lean body mass
  • Bone mineral density

It measures both subcutaneous fat (underneath the skin) and visceral fat (around the organs).

Likewise, it measures region-specific. For example, you can see if your right leg contains more body fat or muscle than your left leg.

Color-enhanced graphics also show where you have a higher density of body fat.

Measuring bone density

The DEXA scanner produces two X-ray beams, each with different energy levels.

One beam is high energy. The other beam is low energy.

Each beam measures the number of X-rays that pass through the bone.

This varies depending on the thickness of the bone.

Based on the difference between the two beams, the bone density can be measured.