Body Composition Testing

A Deeper Look Into Your Health Beyond the Scale

Weight is just a number. Your body tells a much more complete story.

At Naugatuck Valley Radiological Associates (NVRA), we help you unlock a deeper understanding of your health, not just your weight. With Body Composition Testing, we go far beyond what the scale or BMI alone can show you. This fast, noninvasive scan provides real data about fat, lean muscle, and bone mass so you can make more informed decisions about your wellness, fitness, or treatment goals.

Whether you're trying to lose weight, build strength, monitor changes over time, or assess your risk for certain health conditions, this test gives you the personal insight your body deserves.


What Is a Body Composition Test?

A body composition test measures the actual physical components of your body: how much of it is fat, muscle, bone, and other tissues. Unlike traditional methods like BMI or scales, which can be misleading, this scan shows how your body is built, not just what it weighs.


Why Advanced Imaging Offers More Accurate Insights

At NVRA, we use DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) technology (a clinical-grade scan trusted by healthcare professionals) to deliver precise, segmented data. This test can tell you where fat is stored, how much muscle you’ve built, and how your bone mass is holding up. It’s more detailed and more reliable than handheld devices or home scales.


Why Understanding Body Composition Matters

Numbers like weight and BMI only tell part of the story. Two people can weigh the same but have completely different health risks, energy levels, or fitness progress.


How Knowledge Empowers Smarter Lifestyle and Health Decisions

  • Know whether weight loss is coming from fat, muscle, or both
  • Track progress in a fitness program, even when the scale doesn’t budge
  • Support your doctor’s plan to manage diabetes, heart disease, or obesity
  • Monitor changes after surgery, treatment, or major lifestyle shifts
  • Prevent or address osteoporosis and muscle loss as you age


This test is ideal for individuals seeking a more complete understanding of their health.


How NVRA’s Body Composition Testing Works

What Happens During the Scan and How Long It Takes

The process is simple, noninvasive, and takes less than 20 minutes. Here’s what you can expect:

  • You’ll remain fully clothed, removing only metal items.
  • You’ll lie on a comfortable, padded table while the scanner slowly moves over your body.
  • The scanner uses a very low dose of X-rays to collect your measurements.
  • No injections, no pain, no downtime.


You can return to your day immediately, no prep or recovery time needed.


What You’ll Learn From Your Results

Measuring Fat, Lean Muscle, and Bone Mass


Your scan includes:

  1. Total body fat percentage
  2. Visceral fat (fat stored around organs, a key marker for health risks)
  3. Lean muscle mass (critical for strength, metabolism, and mobility)
  4. Bone mineral content and bone density
  5. Regional data (how fat and muscle are distributed across arms, legs, and torso)


This level of detail helps you and your healthcare team make informed decisions.


How Results Support Medical, Fitness, and Nutrition Goals

Whether your goal is to lose weight, build muscle, maintain bone health, or monitor changes due to illness or treatment, body composition testing offers clear, measurable progress points.


Ideal for:

  • Weight management programs
  • Osteoporosis screening (with bone density integration)
  • Cardiometabolic health monitoring
  • Athletes and fitness-focused individuals
  • Patients navigating recovery or long-term conditions


Schedule Your Body Composition Test With NVRA

Gain a Clearer Picture of Your Health Today

Body Composition Testing is available at our Prospect and Southbury locations with appointments that are fast, simple, and noninvasive. A referral from your provider is required, so be sure to request one before booking.


Call 203-753-NVRA (6872) to schedule your scan or contact us online to get started.


At NVRA, we’re proud to offer advanced imaging that empowers you to take control of your health, with results you can use and care you can trust.