During a body composition scan, a low, safe electrical signal is passed through the body from metal electrodes located on the base and handles. The electrical signal passes through water and hydrated muscle tissue quickly, however, meets resistance when trying to pass through fat tissue. This resistance, or impedance, is measured and calculated throughout the body, and as a result produces the body composition measurements.

Body composition scanning is non-intrusive and is completed under GPTQA controlled conditions with an accredited professional available in preparation. The actual scan is done in private.

Global Wellness Tracking use multi-frequency BIA technology, meaning that impedance can be measured with up to six frequencies of electrical signal (1, 5, 50, 250, 500 and 1000kHz). By using variable frequencies, it is possible to penetrate the cells and measure intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW) and total body water (TBW).

Although the electrical signal is low and safe, it may still interfere with and cause malfunction in any electrical medical implants. This malfunction could have serious consequences, therefore, individuals with electrical medical implants such as a pacemaker, should refrain from completing a body composition scan.

Preparation for a body composition scan assessment is essential for reliable and valid results.  See the GPTQA video for advice.

Example data provided from a BIA – Body Composition Scan

• Date of test – 29/04/2022
• Age at test – 46
• Height (cm) – 175
• Weight (kg) – 85.5
• Body Fat (%) – 20.8
• Fat Mass (kg) – 17.8
• Fat Free Mass (kg) – 68.0
• Muscle Mass (kg) – 64.6
• Bone Mass (kg) – 3.4
• Total Body Water (%) – 56.5
• Total Body Water – (kg) – 48.5
• Intracellular Water (kg) – 29.3
• Extracellular Water (kg) – 19.2
• Basal Metabolic Rate (Kcal) – 1973
• Basal Metabolic Rate (KJ) – 8255
• Visceral Fat Rating (score) – 9

Sample report

Normal ranges based on health and medical resources globally.  Please refer to your health professional for individual needs and levels.

Average population

Males:

• Up to 30 years | 9 – 15%
• 30 – 50 years | 11 – 17%
• 50+ years | 12 – 19%

Females:

• Up to 30 years | 14 – 21%
• 30 – 50 years | 15 – 23%
• 50+ years | 16 – 25%

Percentages by classification – Males

• 20 – 39 years
  • Underfat | <7%
  • Healthy | 7 – 20%
  • Overfat | 20 – 25%
  • Obese | >25%
• 40 – 59 years
  • Underfat | <10%
  • Healthy | 10 – 22%
  • Overfat | 22 – 28.5%
  • Obese | >28.5%
• 60 – 79 years
  • Underfat | <12%
  • Healthy | 12 – 25%
  • Overfat | 25 – 30%
  • Obese | >30%

Percentages by classification – Females

• 20 – 39 years
  • Underfat | <21%
  • Healthy | 21 – 34%
  • Overfat | 34 – 39.5%
  • Obese | >39.5%
• 40 – 59 years
  • Underfat | <23%
  • Healthy | 23 – 34%
  • Overfat | 34 – 40%
  • Obese | >40%
• 60 – 79 years
  • Underfat | <24%
  • Healthy | 24 – 36%
  • Overfat | 36 – 41.5%
  • Obese | >41.5%

Calculation

Body mass index = weight (kg) / height (m)2

Normal ranges and classification

• Underweight | <18.5
• Healthy weight range | 18.5 – 24.9
• Overweight | 25 – 29.9
• Obese | >30

Average of estimated bone mass of individuals aged 20 – 40 years. Elderly persons, women after menopause and people receiving hormone therapy should take the values for bone mass as reference only. Bone mass does not give a result on the hardness or strength of the bones or risk of fractures.

Males:

• Body weight = <65kg | 2.66kg
• Body weight = 65 – 95kg | 3.29kg
• Body weight = >95kg | 3.69kg

Females:

• Body weight = <50kg | 1.95kg
• Body weight = 50 – 75kg | 2.40kg
• Body weight = >75kg | 2.95kg

Muscle mass includes skeletal muscles, smooth muscles (e.g. cardiac and digestive) and the water contained in the muscles. As muscle mass increases, energy consumption increases, helping reduce excess body fat.

Can be varied by eating large meals, drinking alcohol, menstruation, illness, exercising, and/or bathing.

• Male | 50 – 65%
• Female | 45 – 60%

Intracellular Water – 2/3 of total body water

• Location of important cellular processes, including allowing molecules to be transported to different organelles inside the cells

Extracellular Water – 1/3 of total body water

• Includes water found in the blood and controls the movement of electrolytes, allows oxygen delivery to cells and clears waste from metabolic processes

Energy expenditure is continuous, but the rate varies throughout the day. The rate of energy expenditure is usually lowest in the early morning.

Average BMR

• Male | 7,100 kJ per day
• Female | 5,900 kJ per day

Ranges

• Healthy | 1 – 12
• Excessive | 12 – 59