What is Your "Metabolic Age"? Introducing Medical Body Scans at 1 Health
Does your BMI tell the whole story? The short answer is no.
You can be "normal weight" on the scales but have dangerous levels of hidden visceral fat wrapped around your organs (often called "Skinny Fat"). Conversely, you can be classified as "overweight" by BMI standards but actually be highly muscular and metabolically healthy.
At 1 Health in Christchurch, we believe in data, not guesswork. That is why we are excited to introduce the Tanita MC-780MA Multi-Frequency Segmental Body Composition Analyzer to our clinic.
Now available as part of our Full Medical Health Checks, this medical-grade technology gives you a look inside your body—in just 20 seconds.
What is the Tanita MC-780MA?
The Tanita MC-780MA is not a standard bathroom scale. It is a Medical Device (Class II-a) used by hospitals and elite sports teams.
It uses
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) technology. By sending safe, imperceptible dual-frequency signals through your body, it can distinguish between muscle, fat, bone, and water with incredible accuracy.
5 Things This Scan Will Tell You (That a Scale Can't)
When you step on the Tanita at our Wigram clinic, you will receive a detailed, printed consultation sheet. Here is what we look for:
1. Visceral Fat Rating
This is the most critical number for your long-term health. Visceral fat is the "active" fat stored deep in the abdomen around your liver and heart. High levels are linked to Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease, even if you look thin on the outside.
2. Muscle Mass & Balance
We don't just measure total muscle; we measure segmental muscle. The scan shows us the muscle mass in your right arm vs. left arm, and right leg vs. left leg. This is brilliant for injury recovery or spotting imbalances.
3. Metabolic Age
Is your body aging faster than you are? This metric compares your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) to the average for your age group. If your Metabolic Age is higher than your actual age, it’s a wake-up call to improve your metabolic health through diet and exercise.
4. Total Body Water
Are you dehydrated or retaining water? The scan measures intracellular and extracellular water, helping us assess your hydration status and cellular health.
5. Phase Angle
This is a technical marker of cellular health and integrity. A higher phase angle generally indicates healthy, intact cells, while a low angle can indicate malnutrition or chronic illness.
Why We Added This to Our Health Checks
We have upgraded our Full Medical Health Check package to include this scan because it allows for preventative medicine.
Instead of waiting for you to get sick, we can use these numbers to catch early warning signs. For example, spotting a drop in muscle mass (Sarcopenia) in older adults allows us to intervene with nutrition advice before it leads to a fall or frailty.
Ready to Know Your Numbers?
Knowledge is power. Stop guessing your health metrics and get the medical-grade data you need.
The Tanita Body Composition Scan is now included in our Full Medical Health Check Package.
Have Questions About Your Health?
Our clinicians at 1 Health are here to help — whether it’s GP care, dental, travel vaccines, or facial aesthetics. Book a consultation anytime.
Book Online:
https://www.1health.nz/contact
Call:
Disclaimer:
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every person’s health situation is different. For personalised guidance or diagnosis, please consult a qualified clinician.
