Insight into Body Composition
In clinical practice, health assessments often utilize general parameters such as body weight, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle factors. However, these measures do not provide information about the regional distribution and quality of fat and muscle tissue, which are crucial for assessing metabolic and cardiometabolic risks.
MRI Body Composition offers an objective and reproducible supplement through the quantitative analysis of fat and muscle compartments. This examination provides a detailed mapping of the distribution of fat and muscle tissue in the body, including visceral and subcutaneous fat, fat accumulation in organs, and intramuscular fat. This allows for a better characterization of interindividual differences in body composition and metabolic risk.
Maps the distribution of fat and muscle tissue and provides insight into factors associated with metabolic risks.
MRI Body composition
What insights does the MRI Body Composition provide?
The MRI Body Composition scan provides insights into, among others:
- Visceral (abdominal) fat mass
- Subcutaneous fat mass
- Liver fat (hepatic fat fraction)
- Intramuscular fat (muscle quality)
- Muscle volume
This data is processed into a clear report with objective measurements of body composition and distribution. The outcomes are compared against reference values from large-scale research, including the UK Biobank. This provides insight into how the body composition compares to peers of similar age, gender, height, and body weight.
The results are then discussed in a personal consultation with a lifestyle physician, where the outcomes are explained and translated into practical and suitable lifestyle advice, focused on insight, prevention, and supporting healthy choices.
Partnership with AMRA
Prescan collaborates for this examination with AMRA®, combining MRI scans with a scientifically validated analysis. During an MRI scan, the body is imaged without the use of ionizing radiation or contrast agents. The images are then analyzed, with fat and muscle tissue mapped out in detailed, three-dimensional views.
The analysis is scientifically validated and used in international research programs, including the UK Biobank. Peer-reviewed scientific literature has demonstrated that MRI-based body composition analysis offers high accuracy and reproducibility, providing additional information compared to conventional measurement methods such as BMI, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).
“This collaboration with AMRA® represents a significant step forward in preventive diagnostics at Prescan. By integrating the measurement of visceral fat into the assessment of metabolic risk, we are further expanding our range of examinations and providing clients with relevant insights that go beyond traditional imaging. This collaboration aligns with our vision to continuously innovate and enhance early detection in preventive care.”
Haif Rood Nawzad, CEO Prescan
Choice for MRI Body Composition within Prescan
Prescan chooses MRI Body Composition because this method aligns with the focus on early detection and objective risk assessment within preventive healthcare. MRI enables a detailed analysis of fat and muscle tissue, including visceral fat, individual muscles, intramuscular fat infiltration, and liver fat.
Unlike CT, MRI does not use ionizing radiation, making the examination suitable for application within a preventive setting and for repeated measurements over time. By combining extensive tissue characterization and the absence of radiation exposure, MRI Body Composition provides a deeper and broader insight into body composition and metabolically relevant parameters.
