Body weight alone does not show whether changes are coming from body fat, muscle or fluid. At Darwin Nutrition & Dietetics Clinic, we use the InBody 770 to provide a detailed estimate of your body composition in approximately 60 seconds.

The scan estimates body fat, skeletal muscle mass, visceral fat area and body water distribution. It can be particularly useful when monitoring weight loss, improving fitness, taking weight-management medications or preparing for and recovering from bariatric surgery.

Results are explained by an Accredited Practising Dietitian, helping you understand changes beyond the number on the scales and identify practical priorities for your nutrition, activity and ongoing health care.

Repeat scans can be used to monitor changes over time, particularly when they are completed under similar testing conditions.

What is body composition analysis?

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a fast, safe and non-invasive method used to estimate body composition, including body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass and body water.

Unlike body weight or Body Mass Index (BMI), BIA provides additional information about estimated body fat, skeletal muscle and body water. This can provide a more useful picture of how your body composition is changing over time.

Shows the InBody770 bioelectrical impedance analysis machine used in the clinic to measure body composition.

Who can benefit from a body composition scan?

GLP-1 and weight-management medications

Medications such as semaglutide, liraglutide and tirzepatide can support significant weight loss. However, weight lost may include both body fat and lean tissue.

Body composition monitoring can help you:

  • Track whether changes are predominantly coming from fat mass or lean mass
  • Monitor skeletal muscle during periods of reduced appetite or rapid weight loss
  • Identify when protein intake, resistance exercise or overall nutrition may need further attention
  • Recognise meaningful progress even when body weight changes more slowly
  • Discuss results with your dietitian, doctor or other treating practitioner

The goal is not simply to lose as much weight as possible, but to support fat loss while maintaining muscle, strength, nutritional adequacy and long-term function. Current evidence indicates that GLP‑1 treatment generally reduces considerably more fat mass than lean mass, although some lean-mass reduction can occur, supporting the value of accompanying treatment with appropriate nutrition and physical activity.

Bariatric surgery

Body composition can provide information that body weight alone cannot. Scans may help monitor changes in body fat and skeletal muscle during the pre-operative and post-operative periods.

When combined with dietetic assessment, this can help guide:

  • Protein and energy intake
  • Strategies to preserve muscle during rapid weight loss
  • Progression of physical activity and resistance exercise
  • Longer-term weight and health goals

Early changes after surgery can also be influenced by hydration and fluid shifts, so results should be interpreted in context and compared under similar testing conditions.

Weight loss and fitness

A body composition scan may also be useful if you are changing your eating habits, commencing an exercise program or wanting a more detailed baseline than body weight or BMI alone.

It can help distinguish changes in fat, muscle and fluid and provide a more meaningful way of monitoring progress over time.

What does the InBody 770 measure?

At Darwin Nutrition & Dietetics Clinic, we use the professional-grade InBody 770, a multi-frequency, segmental bioelectrical impedance analyser.

From your scan, we can provide several measurements including:

  • Percentage body fat
  • Body fat mass
  • Skeletal muscle mass and fat-free mass
  • Estimated visceral fat area
  • Segmental muscle and fat distribution
  • Estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR)

Body water distribution and fluid balance

Shows an example results page of the InBody body composition scan.

How does BIA work?

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) estimates body composition by sending a low, painless electrical current through the body. This current travels at different speeds depending on the type of tissue it encounters:

  • Water-rich tissues, including muscle, conduct electrical current more readily
  • Body fat contains less water and provides greater resistance to the current

The InBody 770 measures this resistance at multiple frequencies and across different body segments. It uses these measurements to estimate body composition, including body fat, skeletal muscle and body water.

Results are available immediately following the scan and can be used to track changes over time.

How to prepare for your scan

For the most consistent and reliable results, please follow these instructions before your scan:

  • Avoid eating for at least 2–4 hours before the scan
  • Maintain your usual hydration, but avoid drinking a large amount immediately beforehand
  • Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours
  • Avoid strenuous exercise for approximately 12 hours
  • Use the bathroom immediately before the scan
  • Wear light clothing and remove shoes and socks
  • Remove heavy jewellery and metal accessories where practical
  • For follow-up scans, aim to attend at a similar time of day and under similar conditions

Please tell us before booking if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or have a pacemaker or another implanted electronic medical device.

Cost and what is included

Body Composition Scan:            $45

Appointments take approximately 15 minutes and include:

  • An InBody 770 body composition scan

  • Access to your results through a printed results sheet and/or the InBody mobile app

  • An explanation of your results by an Accredited Practising Dietitian

  • Comparison with previous scans, where available

A body composition scan does not replace a comprehensive dietetic assessment. A separate consultation may be recommended if you would like individualised nutrition advice.

        

Book a body composition scan

Ready to go beyond the scale? Book a scan today and gain deeper insight into your health. Whether you’re beginning your health management journey or fine-tuning your performance, our dietitians are here to help you make informed decisions based on your results. 

Please note, body composition scans can only be performed at the Palmerston clinic.

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