DEXA body composition scans available at Rec

By Charlie Cruz     1/28/25 10:43pm

The Rice Recreation Center recently introduced Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scans, which Anatolia Vick-Kregel, senior associate director of health and well-being at Rice, described as a cutting-edge method for body composition analysis. DEXA scans provide a detailed breakdown of muscle mass, body fat percentage and bone mineral density.

According to Vick-Kregel, these metrics can help individuals better understand their bodies and tailor fitness and nutrition strategies.

The initiative, launched Nov. 4, 2024, aims to make advanced health metrics widely accessible. Vick-Kregel said affordability was a driving force behind the program.

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“We wanted to eliminate price as a barrier to this gold-standard tool,” Vick-Kregel said. “Students, faculty and staff can access the scan for $30, which is significantly less than the $90 to $150 seen at other facilities.”

DEXA scans use low-dose X-rays to analyze an individual’s body composition. The scan provides measurements such as bone density, fat around organs and muscle mass and can guide users in creating personalized fitness and nutrition plans based on their unique metrics, Vick-Kregel said.

For fitness enthusiasts like Pranav Sundararajan, the scan offers clarity. 

“I’m into bodybuilding, and this gave me a deeper understanding of where I’m at,” Sundararajan, a Sid Richardson College junior, said. “It showed I had less fat than I expected, especially around my organs. That information is invaluable.”

The Rec also provides informational documents to help users interpret their results, a necessary shift after high demand made one-on-one consultations unsustainable, according to Vick-Kregel.

KamRen Walls, a personal trainer at the Rec who used the scan, said he appreciated the actionable nature of the results. 

“It’s an eight-page report, but everything is easy to follow,” Walls, a Wiess College senior, said. “It breaks down body composition in a way that’s practical for setting health goals.”

Sundararajan said he would like to see room for further integration with other wellness initiatives.

“It would be great to see more structured packages that combine scans with personal training or nutrition counseling to create a more guided experience,” Sundararajan said.

Vick-Kregel noted that two of the Rec’s personal trainers are certified to administer DEXA scans and often discuss results with participants. 

“The ultimate goal is to create new packages that tie DEXA results to services like personal training or nutrition consultations,” Vick-Kregel said. “This way, people aren’t left wondering, ‘I got a DEXA scan — now what?’”

Vick-Kregel recommends scheduling scans early in the morning on an empty stomach for optimal results. She also said the service is not limited to students: faculty, staff and even non-members of the Rice community can book scans, albeit at higher prices. 

With over 200 scans conducted since the program’s launch, Vick-Kregel believes the DEXA scan initiative is only the beginning. 

“This is part of a larger effort to integrate advanced health technology into Rice’s wellness ecosystem,” Vick-Kregel said.

“Anyone serious about fitness should do this,” Sundararajan said. “It’s a checkpoint, a baseline. It shows where you are and where you can go.”

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