Are you still relying on the scale to measure your health? Have you ever wondered what your body is made of?

Today, we’re exploring a topic that’s revolutionizing the way we approach weight loss, fitness, and long-term health: body composition. What is it? Why does it matter? And where do we even begin?

Dr. Nina Crowley, a clinical expert in bariatric care and weight management, discusses what body composition reveals, beyond just the pounds on a scale. She explains how bioimpedance technology works, why BMI isn't the whole story, and how understanding your muscle mass and fat mass can completely change your approach to health.

Whether you’re newly post-op, years into your journey, or just getting curious about what’s under the surface, this conversation is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (01:01) Dr. Crowley shares her professional bariatric and weight loss background
• (03:12) Discussion of body composition, muscle mass, and fat mass and bioimpedance technology and analysis explained
• (09:15) Why it is critical to know your body composition and the limitations of using BMI as a health metric 
• (13:30) Why some providers hesitate to use body composition tools and how to overcome those barriers.
• (17:58) Dr. Crowley shares how to work toward your goals once you have the data

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Dr. Nina Crowley emphasizes that traditional weight measurements, such as stepping on a scale, only tell part of the story. Body composition analysis reveals what the body is made of—primarily fat mass versus fat-free mass (including muscle, bone, and water). This deeper understanding enables patients to make more informed decisions about their health and wellness, particularly during the aging process or following bariatric surgery.
• Crowley explains how bioimpedance analysis offers quick, reliable, and clinically validated results on fat and muscle mass by sending a low electrical current through the body. It provides a point-of-care tool for clinicians and patients to receive meaningful data in under a minute, enabling more effective, real-time conversations about health goals.
• Understanding internal health drives better lifestyle choices. This data empowers individuals to focus more on nutrition, movement, and aging-related health concerns, rather than obsessing over a single number on the scale.

RESOURCES:

• BariNation Website 
• Join the BariNation Membership community meetups to support you on your journey with obesity treatment. https://barination.com/pages/join-our-community
• Want to see bonus content? Head over to https://www.patreon.com/BariNationPodcast to get more and support the podcast for as low as $5 per month!    

OTHER RESOURCES: 

BariNation - Email

GUEST RESOURCES:

Dr. Nina Crowley LinkedIn

seca website

Beyond BMI: Understanding Body Composition & Obesity YouTube Video

https://secambca.com/ask-your-provider-to-offer-body-composition-analysis/

https://www.obesityaction.org/resources/all-about-body-composition/

BIOGRAPHY: 

Nina Crowley, PhD, RD, is a nationally recognized expert in obesity care and a longtime advocate for patient-centered communication and access to treatment. She began her career as a bariatric dietitian and led the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program at the Medical University of South Carolina. Nina now serves as Director of Clinical Education and Partnerships at seca. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Obesity Action Coalition, advancing education, advocacy, and the use of body composition to support individualized care beyond the scale.

ABOUT:

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