BodyInsight Report

Redesigning DEXA reports: Empowering users with clear, actionable insights through user-centered design and research.

Duration
Three Weeks

My Role
UX Designer

Tools
Figma, Notion, Miro

Overview

The DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is a widely used tool for measuring body composition, including fat mass, lean muscle mass, and bone density. However, the standard DEXA report is often presented as a brief, highly technical six-page document filled with jargon that leaves users confused about the implications of their results. Recognizing the need to make this information more accessible and valuable to users, we transformed the DEXA report into a comprehensive 17-page document that helps users understand their scan results and their bodies.

Challenges:

  1. Complex Terminology: The original report used medical jargon (e.g., “BMD,” “T-Score,” “Z-Score”) that most users without a medical background found confusing.

  2. Lack of Actionable Insights: The two-page report provided numbers and graphs but didn’t explain what users could do with the information or how it related to their fitness and health goals.

  3. User Engagement: Users often disregarded their reports after receiving them, as they didn’t feel the data offered tangible value.

Objective:

To transform the DEXA report from a cryptic, data-heavy document into an insightful and educational tool that empowers users to deeply understand their body composition and take actionable steps based on the data.

Approach:

  1. User Research & Feedback Collection:

  • Interviews & Surveys: We interviewed 6 DEXA scan users to understand their challenges with the current report. Many users expressed frustration with the lack of explanations and felt overwhelmed by medical terminology.

  • Key Insight: Users were interested in understanding what the numbers meant for their overall health and wanted actionable advice tied to the data.

  1. Report Structure Redesign:

    • Expanded Sections: We expanded the report from 6 pages to 10, breaking down each section in an easy-to-follow and educational way.

      • Introduction to DEXA: A user-friendly explanation of what the DEXA scan measures (fat, muscle, bone density) and why these metrics are important.

      • Body Composition Summary: Clear visuals showing a breakdown of fat, lean muscle, and bone mass with color-coded charts for quick interpretation.

      • Term Glossary: A dedicated section that defines key terms such as “BMD,” “T-Score,” and “Visceral Fat” in simple language.

      • Result Interpretations: Each metric was accompanied by explanations that relate the results to an individual’s fitness or health goals (e.g., “A high visceral fat level may increase the risk of heart disease”).

      • Personalized Insights: We included a section suggesting tailored fitness and nutrition advice based on the user’s specific body composition results (e.g., recommendations for strength training if lean mass is low).

      • Progress Tracker: A page designed for users to track their changes over multiple DEXA scans, helping them visualize long-term progress.

Design & Visualization:

  • Infographics & Simplified Graphs: We used clear, easy-to-read visuals with minimal technical data clutter, focusing on making the information visually digestible.

  • Comparative Data: Added visual comparisons to “healthy” ranges for fat percentage, muscle mass, and bone density, helping users understand where they stood relative to benchmarks for their age and gender.

  • Content Development:

    • Educational Content: Each page was designed to educate users not just on what their current numbers mean, but how they can improve their body composition over time.

    • Actionable Takeaways: Instead of just reporting metrics, the new DEXA report gave clear next steps (e.g., “Consider incorporating more weight-bearing exercises to increase bone density”).

  • Feedback Integration & Testing:

    • Usability Testing: After developing the first version of the new report, we tested it with 20 users who had previously received the old report. Over 80% of users reported that the new report was much clearer and more valuable to them.

    • Iteration: Based on feedback, we added more personalized advice for different body types and health goals, as well as clearer explanations for key metrics.

Outcomes:

  1. User Satisfaction: User feedback surveys showed a 90% increase in satisfaction with the new report format. Many users felt more confident in understanding their results and using the information to guide their fitness and health decisions.

  2. Increased Engagement: Users spent an average of 5 minutes reviewing their new reports, up from an average of 2 minutes with the old six-page version.

  3. Actionable Health Insights: 75% of users indicated that they followed the personalized advice in the report, such as adjusting their exercise or diet plans based on the insights provided.

  4. Retention & Long-term Use: Many users reported that they used the report’s progress tracker to monitor improvements over time, leading to an increase in repeat DEXA scans for ongoing monitoring.

Conclusion:

By transforming the DEXA report from a cryptic, technical document into a user-friendly, informative tool, we empowered users to better understand their body composition and take meaningful actions to improve their health. This redesign not only improved user satisfaction but also enhanced the value of the DEXA scan itself, positioning it as a long-term health monitoring tool rather than a one-time assessment.