How do I explain and understand the contents of the Scan Report?

Follow this guide for information about how to understand your scan report.

Understanding Your Scan Report

Section: Basic Info

Wellness Information (Under Summary)

View references here

Wellness Information (Under Summary)

Body Fat Percentage & Rank: 

  • Body fat percentage is the percentage of your body weight that is made up of fat. It’s important to note that all body composition tools (ie. BIA, DXA, Skinfold Calipers, BodPod, Hydrostatic Weighing) all estimate body fat percentage based on developed algorithms. 
  • Styku has two body composition models: Basic and Advanced. You can determine which model was used at the facility you scanned at by looking at your body fat percentage and then looking at the body fat percent rank. Compare this to the body fat percentage classification tables for the Basic and Advanced models below. 
  • The Basic model uses algorithms based on Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) technology (like what you have maybe seen in an at home scale). The BIA technology tends to underestimate body fat in overweight/obese people and overestimates body fat in more lean/fit people (1,2). This is why the ranking classifications have lower values as approximately 75% of the United States population is overweight/obese (3). 
  • The Advanced algorithm is validated based on Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) (4-6). A DXA scan is considered the Gold Standard when assessing body composition as it takes an x-ray image and looks at the inside of your body. Body fat percentages tend to be higher using DXA than with other devices (2,7), though it is the most accurate, typically within 1-2% of a 4-compartment (4C) model test. (8). So, with the Phoenix model, you know you are getting an accurate assessment of your body composition. 
  • Using DXA values as a reference, individuals with a body fat content ≤25% for men, & ≤35% for women) are considered lean and healthy while individuals with body fat content >25% for men, >35% for women are considered obese (9). 

“Advanced” Body Composition Model - DEXA Validated (4-6)

Body Composition Category

Men Body Fat %

Women Body Fat %

Essential

5-7.9%

12-15.9%

Athlete

8-11.9%

16-22.9%

Fit

12-20.9%

23-34.9%

Average

21-27.9%

35-39.9%

At Risk

28%+

40%+


“Basic” Body Composition Model - Algorithm based on Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) (10)

Body Composition Category

Men Body Fat %

Women Body Fat %

Essential

2-5%

10-13%

Athlete

6-13%

14-20%

Fit

14-17%

21-24%

Average

18-24%

21-24%

At Risk

25%+

32%+


  • Essential Fat: 
      1. This refers to the minimum amount of body fat that is necessary for basic physical and physiological health. 
  • Athlete: 
      1. Athletes typically have a lower body fat percentage than the general population, due to their high levels of physical activity and training. 
  • Fit: 
      1. This range is associated with good health and a lower risk of chronic diseases.
  • Average: 
      1. This range is considered to be healthy but not necessarily optimal.
  • At Risk: 
    1. People in this category are overweight/obese and may have an increased risk of chronic diseases.

Fat Mass:

  • Fat mass refers to the amount of body weight that is composed of fat tissue. This includes both subcutaneous fat (fat that is located just under the skin) and visceral fat (fat that is located in and around the internal organs). Fat mass is typically measured in pounds (or kilograms) and is used to determine an individual's body fat percentage.

Lean Mass:

  • Lean mass refers to the amount of body weight that is composed of non-fat tissue, including muscle, bone, water, and organs. Lean mass is often considered to be an indicator of overall health and fitness, as it is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases (11-13). Lean mass can also be measured in pounds (or kilograms) and is used to determine an individual's muscle mass. It's important to note that body composition (ratio of lean mass to fat mass - body fat percentage) is considered a more accurate indicator of overall health than body weight alone (14,15).

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR):

  • Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy (measured in calories) that your body burns at rest to maintain basic life-sustaining functions such as breathing, circulation, and cell growth. BMR is the largest component of total energy expenditure and represents about 60-75% of the total daily energy expenditure for most people (16).
  • BMR is influenced by several factors, including age, sex, weight, height, and muscle mass. In general, men tend to have a higher BMR than women due to their higher muscle mass (17). As we age, BMR tends to decrease, which can contribute to weight gain (17,18).
  • Styku uses the validated Harris-Benedict equation to estimate BMR (19,20). For adult men, the average BMR is around 2,000 calories per day. For adult women, the average BMR is around 1,500 calories per day (17). 
  • It's important to note that BMR can vary greatly from person to person and that these figures are just general averages. The average BMR varies depending on a number of factors, including age, sex, weight, height, and muscle mass (17).
  • For example, a physically active person with a higher muscle mass may have a higher BMR than a sedentary person with the same weight and height. Men, in general, have a higher BMR than women due to having more muscle mass (21).
  • It's worth noting that BMR should not be confused with total energy expenditure (TEE), which includes BMR as well as the energy expended through physical activity and digestion of food. TEE is a more accurate measure of daily calories burned than BMR alone as it measures all of the calories you burn throughout the day.

Health Risks:

  • A higher body composition and waist circumference (ie. abdominal fat) may increase the risk factors for a number of chronic diseases like those discussed below.
Cardiovascular Disease: 
  • Obesity is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure (22,23). This is due in part to the fact that obesity is associated with an increase in body fat, particularly visceral fat (fat that is located in and around the internal organs), which is linked to inflammation and an increased risk of heart disease (24-26). 
Diabetes: 
  • Obesity is a leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes (27,28), which is a condition in which the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. This can lead to high blood sugar levels and an increased risk of diabetes-related complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye disease (29).
Cancer: 
    • Obesity has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer (30,31). This is thought to be due in part to the fact that obesity is associated with an increase in inflammation and hormonal imbalances in the body, which can promote the growth of cancer cells (32).
Respiratory Disease: 
    • Obesity is associated with an increased risk of respiratory disease, such as sleep apnea, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is thought to be due lung damage and inflammation or may be due to the fact that excess weight can put pressure on the lungs and make it more difficult to breathe (33-35).
All-Cause Mortality: 
    • Obesity is associated with an increased risk of premature death from any cause. This is thought to be due to the fact that obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, all of which can lead to premature death (36-39).
  • It's worth noting that obesity is a complex medical condition that has a variety of causes, including genetic, environmental and behavioral factors. Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet and regular physical activity are effective ways to prevent and manage obesity and related health risks.

Section: 3D Scan and Measurements


 

Body Fat %: 
    • Body fat percentage measures how much fat you have in your body to how much your whole body weighs.
Lean Mass %: 
    • Lean mass percentage is the amount of non-fat tissue in the body, including muscle, bones, organs and water, in relation to total body weight.
Bone Mass %: 
    • Bone mass percentage is the proportion of bones in the Android  Region (abdominal and thoracic regions) of the body in relation to total body weight.
Fat Mass: 
    • Fat mass is the amount of fat tissue in the body measured as a weight in pounds or kilograms. Fat mass is important for overall health as it provides energy reserve, cushioning and insulation for vital organs, and also plays a role in regulating body temperature. 
    • However, having too much fat mass, especially in the abdominal region, can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers (1). 
    • Additionally, excessive fat mass can also lead to negative impacts on physical function, mobility and self-esteem (2,3). Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy body composition with an appropriate balance of fat mass.
Lean Mass: 
    • Lean mass is the total weight of all non-fat tissue in the body, including muscle, bones, organs and water. It is measured as a weight in pounds or kilograms.Lean mass is important for overall health because it helps to maintain a healthy metabolism, support physical activity, and protect against chronic diseases (4-7). 
Bone Mass: 
    • Styku provides bone mass measurements in the Android Region of the body (abdominal and thoracic regions). The rest of your bone mass falls under Lean Mass. 
    • There are no ranges for what is “good” bone mass, rather you just want to monitor this value to make sure it is not decreasing.
    • Adequate bone mass is essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones, which reduces the risk of fractures, osteoporosis and other bone related diseases (8-10). 
    • Additionally, strong bones are also important for maintaining mobility and independence as we age (11).
Android Mass: 
    • Android mass is the amount of fat tissue stored in the upper body, specifically in the abdominal and thoracic region. 
    • Android mass, also known as abdominal or central obesity (apple shaped), is considered a significant health risk because it is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease (12,13). There are no “good” or “bad” ranges, lower percentages/values are better.
Gynoid Mass: 
    • Gynoid mass is the amount of fat tissue stored in the lower body, specifically in the hips, thighs and buttocks region (pear shape). 
    • Gynoid mass is considered less of a health risk compared to android mass, however, there are still cardiometabolic risk factors associated with fat accumulated in this area (14-16). 
Visceral Fat: 
    • Visceral fat is the fat that surrounds the internal organs in the abdominal cavity. 
    • Visceral fat is considered more dangerous than subcutaneous fat (the fat that sits just under the skin) as it can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers (17,18). This is because visceral fat secretes hormones and inflammatory molecules that can have negative effects on the body's metabolism and cardiovascular health (19,20).
Subcutaneous Fat: 
    • Styku provides subcutaneous fat measurements from the Android Region of the body (abdomen and thoracic regions). If you have a higher waist circumference, it is likely that subcutaneous and visceral fat values will be higher for you (21). If this value increases over time it may mean belly fat is increasing.
    • Subcutaneous fat is considered less dangerous than visceral fat, but it can still contribute to negative health outcomes and disease if present in excessive amounts (22,23). 

Circumference Measurements: The below circumference measurements measure the distance around a location of the body. A larger circumference may mean either a greater amount of fat or muscle is in that area. 

  • Bicep Lower: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the upper arm just above the elbow.
  • Bicep: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the fullest part of the upper arm and is above the Bicep Lower.
  • Calf: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the lower leg between the ankle and the knee. You will see it visible around your shin.
  • Chest: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the chest under the arm pits.
  • Forearm: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the lower arm between the wrist and the elbow.
  • High Hip: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the highest part of the hips. It’s the second to last measurement before the thigh measurements.
  • Hip: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the fullest part of the hips. It’s the last measurement before the thigh measurements.
  • Neck: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the neck.
  • Thigh Lower: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the upper leg (thigh) just above the knee.
  • Mid-Thigh: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the middle of the upper leg (thigh).
  • Thigh Upper: 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the highest part of the upper leg (thigh) just below the crotch point and under the gluteal crease.
  • Waist (Narrowest): 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the waist and is the first waist measurement below the chest measurement.
  • Waist (Abdominal): 
    • This is the circumference measurement around the waist and is the measurement below Waist (Narrowest). You will see it just above or across your belly button.
  • Waist (Lower): 
  • This is the circumference measurement around the waist and is the last waist measurement below Waist (Abdominal). You will see it around your hip bones.

Section: Body Composition & Rankings



 

Body Composition: 

    • This metric shows what your body is composed of. Fat-Free Mass is in gray and Fat Mass is in blue.

Fat Free Mass: 

    • Fat-Free Mass (FFM) refers to the weight of the human body that does not include fat, like: bones, muscles, organs, and other tissues. 

Fat Mass:

    • Fat mass refers to the amount of body weight that is composed of fat tissue. This includes both subcutaneous fat (fat that is located just under the skin) and visceral fat (fat that is located in and around the internal organs). 

Your Rank:

    • There are different categories based on body fat percentage. A detailed description of each category is below for both males and females.

“Advanced” Body Composition Model - DEXA Validated (1-3)

Body Composition Category

Men Body Fat %

Women Body Fat %

Essential

5-7.9%

12-15.9%

Athlete

8-11.9%

16-22.9%

Fit

12-20.9%

23-34.9%

Average

21-27.9%

35-39.9%

At Risk

28%+

40%+


“Basic” Body Composition Model - Algorithm based on Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) (4)

Body Composition Category

Men Body Fat %

Women Body Fat %

Essential

2-5%

10-13%

Athlete

6-13%

14-20%

Fit

14-17%

21-24%

Average

18-24%

21-24%

At Risk

25%+

32%+


  • Essential Fat: 
    • This refers to the minimum amount of body fat that is necessary for basic physical and physiological health. 
  • Athlete: 
    • Athletes typically have a lower body fat percentage than the general population, due to their high levels of physical activity and training. 
  • Fit: 
    • This range is associated with good health and a lower risk of chronic diseases.
  • Average: 
    • This range is considered to be healthy but not necessarily optimal.
  • At Risk: 
    • People in this category are overweight/obese and may have an increased risk of chronic diseases.
  • Compared with Others:
    • This shows where you rank compared to others of the same age and sex. Being in a lower percentile (ie. 10th percentile) may place you at a greater risk for poor health. 


Section: Fat Loss Calculator & Goals

 

Fat Loss Goal: 

  • This goal is created by adjusting the fat loss slider, indicating how many pounds or kilograms of fat you want to lose.
        • Pounds of Fat: This is the mass, or weight, of fat you want to lose.
        • Body Fat: This shows what your body fat percentage would be by losing the selected amount of fat.
        • Rank: This shows what your new body fat percentage ranking classification would be.

Workouts Per Week: 

  • By using the slider, you set your goal number of workouts, from 0 workouts per week to 7 workouts per week. 
  • The more workouts per week you perform, the more fat loss that is achieved at a faster rate.

Goal Date:

    • Based on the amount of fat loss you aim to achieve and workouts per week you aim to do, a general goal date is provided of when you might reach your goal. 
    • Aiming to lose lesser amounts of fat with more workouts per week will show faster results.
    • Trying to lose large amounts of fat with fewer workouts per week will take longer.

Section: Activity & Caloric Expenditure

*Note: This information auto-populates based on your Body Metrics and Fat Loss Goals.

 

Basal Metabolic Rate: 

    • Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the amount of energy (measured in calories) that your body burns at rest to maintain basic life-sustaining functions such as breathing, circulation, and cell growth (1). Styku uses the validated Harris-Benedict equation to estimate BMR (2,3).
    • For adult men, the average BMR is around 2,000 calories per day. For adult women, the average BMR is around 1,500 calories per day (4).

Caloric Expenditure: 

    • Total energy expenditure (TEE) is the amount of energy (measured in calories) that a person burns in a day. It is made up of three main components: basal metabolic rate (BMR), the energy used to digest food (thermic effect of food); and the energy used for physical activity (5,6). 
    • BMR is the largest component of TEE, accounting for about 60-75% (1) of the total energy expended. 
    • The thermic effect of food accounts for about 10% (6-8) of the total energy expended.
    • The energy used for physical activity varies widely depending on the individual's level of activity and can account for 15-30% of the total energy expended (6,8). 
    • Understanding one's TEE is important for maintaining a healthy weight and can also be used as a tool for weight loss or weight gain.

Caloric Deficit: 

    • This is the amount of daily calories you may need to restrict from your diet in order to achieve your fat loss goals by the goal date.
    • Eating less calories than you burn helps with weight loss. It is important to eat a nutritious diet with the proper macronutrients (carbs, fats, and protein) in combination with exercise to achieve weight loss goals (9,10).

Goal Date:

    • Based on the amount of fat loss you aim to achieve and workouts per week you aim to do, a general goal date is provided of when you might reach your goal. This is the same date as under the “Fat Loss Calculator” tab.

Caloric Consumption:

    • Based on your fat loss goal, workouts per week, and goal date, this is the recommended amount of calories from food and drinks you should consume to achieve your fat loss goals by the goal date. 
    • It is important to note that there is more to fat loss than just calories in vs calories out and eating a nutritionally balanced diet plays a vital role.
    • You can “Personalize” this section if you would like to increase or decrease your daily calorie intake. Note, this will either increase or decrease your goal date.

Section: Waist Analysis



 

Waist Shape:

    • Waist shape simply just shows a top- down view of the shape of your waist and you may be able to see where fat may be accumulating around your midsection. Someone with a larger waist shape area has an apple shape appearance and may be at more risk of chronic diseases (1-4). 

Waist Circumference:

    • Waist circumference is associated with an increased risk of various preventable diseases: metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, etc. (5-7)
    • Men with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches and women with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches are considered to have an increased risk of developing these diseases (8,9).

Waist-to-Hip Ratio:

    • Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a measure of body fat distribution (2). It is calculated by dividing the circumference of a person's waist by the circumference of their hips. 
    • A high WHR, typically greater than 0.85 for women and greater than 1.0 for men, is associated with an increased risk of health related diseases (10). 

Section: Health Risks



 

Risk Level:

    • Risk level is based on your waist circumference. Waist circumference is the most simple measurement that does not require any calculation which BMI and waist-to-hip ratio require. Evidence supports a larger waist circumference to be a significant indicator of health risks (1,2), and in some cases, better than BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (3,4).

Diseases:

    • These are the increased risks that you might have based on your waist circumference. 
    • A value greater than “1.0” means that there may be at an increased risk of disease. For instance, a 1.4x result for cardiovascular disease means there may be a 1.4 times greater risk, or 40%, increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cancer: 

    • Cancer has several different forms. Cancer may be non-genetic or genetic, meaning cancer might develop from unhealthy lifestyle habits or be hereditary and passed-on from DNA. Cancer may also be malignant (rapidly spread) or benign (localized). Having a larger waist circumference is associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as colorectal, ovarian, endometrial, and postmenopausal breast cancer (5-7). This is thought to be due to the fact that abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat, is linked to higher levels of inflammation in the body, which may promote the growth of cancer cells (8). Additionally, abdominal fat is also associated with higher levels of certain hormones, such as estrogen, which can also contribute to the development of certain types of cancer (9,10). This analysis provides an overall risk for all cancers.

Cardiovascular Disease:

    • Cardiovascular Disease is an umbrella term used to describe a group of disorders that affect the cardiovascular system and blood vessels. Common cardiovascular diseases are: coronary heart disease (heart attack), cerebrovascular disease (stroke), and peripheral arterial disease which is also known as atherosclerosis (high blood pressure/heart attack). A larger waist circumference is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (11). This is thought to be due to the fact that abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat, is more metabolically active than fat in other parts of the body, and it releases more fatty acids and inflammatory molecules into the bloodstream (12,13). These substances can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease by promoting the buildup of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of blood clots, and raising blood pressure (14).

Respiratory Disease:

    • Respiratory Diseases are disorders that affect the respiratory system (lungs). A respiratory disease may negatively affect quality of breathing and may even decrease oxygenation to the body (15,16). A larger waist circumference, also known as abdominal obesity, can put you at an increased risk for respiratory diseases (17), which may include: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and others. This happens because when you have too much fat in your abdominal area, it can lead to inflammation in your body, which can cause airway inflammation and make it harder for you to breathe. Additionally, the extra weight can put pressure on your chest and lungs, making it harder for them to function properly (15,16,18).

All Other Diseases:

    • Waist circumference is used as an indicator of overall health risk. A high waist circumference is associated with an increased risk of various health conditions which may lead to premature death (19-22), including: diabetes, cancer, respiratory diseases, metabolic diseases, etc. 
    • A greater waist circumference also increases the risk of All-Cause Mortality, which is premature death due to health diseases (20).
    • This data provides an estimate of overall risk of all diseases and all-cause mortality.

Section: Inch-Loss Goal



 

Inch-Loss Goal

  • There is an association between waist circumference and health risks. 
  • Men with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches and women with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches are considered to have an increased risk of developing these diseases (1,2). 
  • Decreasing inches around the waist and stomach area may result in an improvement in health and decrease in health risks (3).