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Consultation outcome

Using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans for non-medical purposes as a justified practice

From:
Department of Health and Social Care
Published:
30 March 2026
Last updated:
7 October 2026 — See all updates
This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans for non-medical purposes as a justified practice: consultation response

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Detail of outcome

On behalf of the UK government and the devolved governments, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) consulted on whether non-medical use of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) should become a justified practice under the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004.

The consultation received 397 responses, including from:

  • healthcare professionals
  • ionising radiation experts
  • sports and fitness professionals
  • businesses

This document summarises the responses received.

The government will now consider the consultation responses, along with evidence gathered through targeted engagement. They will then reach a final policy decision on whether non-medical DEXA for lifestyle, wellness and sporting performance purposes should be made a justified practice and, if so, the safeguards that should apply.

Further information on next steps will be communicated in due course.

Original consultation

Summary

We are seeking views on the potential use of DEXA scans outside of a healthcare pathway.

This consultation ran from
to

Consultation description

This consultation aims to seek views on the potential use of DEXA scans for non-medical purposes, in particular whether:

  • the use of DEXA for non-medical purposes should be justified for both elite athletes and other individuals monitoring their body composition under general fitness and sporting programmes
  • its use should exclude children, young people and individuals known to be pregnant
  • there should be limits on the number of scans undertaken by an individual within a set timeframe

The Department of Health and Social Care may undertake targeted engagement with relevant bodies as part of this consultation.

The UK government is consulting on behalf of the devolved governments. Accordingly, this consultation covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The UK and devolved governments will continue to engage throughout the consultation period to ensure all 4 nations’ views are heard. The devolved governments will all receive findings from the public consultation to inform policy decisions for all 4 nations.

See the Welsh version.

Documents

Using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans for non-medical purposes as a justified practice - consultation document

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Updates to this page

Published 30 March 2026
Last updated 7 October 2026 Show all updates

  1. Added consultation response.

  2. Added link to the Welsh version.

  3. Added link to the consultation survey.

  4. First published.

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