Bone density scanners are pricey, so I put an at-home alternative to the test to see how it measures up, tell me about this news in (https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/withings-bodyfit-scale)

This review from CNN Underscored evaluates whether an advanced smart scalespecifically from Withingscan serve as a practical, affordable home alternative to clinical bone mineral density scans (such as a DEXA scan).Here is a breakdown of the key points covered in the piece:

• The Premise: Medical bone density scans (DEXA) are the clinical gold standard for diagnosing osteopenia or osteoporosis, but they require a clinic visit, a doctor’s referral, and can carry significant out-of-pocket costs. The reviewer tested a feature-packed Withings smart scale to see if its at-home bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can realistically provide actionable skeletal health insights.
• How the Scale Works: Unlike basic scales that only display body weight, the Withings smart scale sends low-level electrical signals through the feet to estimate full body composition, including body fat percentage, muscle mass, water weight, and bone mass (mineral density estimates). The data syncs directly over Wi-Fi/Bluetooth to the companion Withings Health app to track changes over time.
• User Experience and Setup: The scale earns praise for its sleek build, straightforward app pairing, and ease of routine weigh-ins. It automatically recognizes multiple household profiles, displays metrics on a clear digital screen, and plots long-term trends without requiring manual logging.
• Accuracy vs. Medical Scans: The review emphasizes that while smart scales offer helpful directional trends, they are not true medical substitutes for a clinical bone densitometry test. BIA measurements can fluctuate based on daily hydration, meal timing, and skin contact, whereas a DEXA scan directly images and measures bone mineral content using low-dose X-rays.
• Bottom Line: For day-to-day fitness tracking, body composition insights, and spotting general trends over months, the Withings scale performs well and offers convenience. However, the reviewer cautions that anyone actively concerned about bone disorders, fractures, or osteoporosis should treat the scale as an informational gadget rather than a diagnostic medical tool.