Body mass index number might be a more accurate measurement than commonly conceive . unexampled inquiry show that a huge majority of masses with a BMI signify obesity have substantial excess dead body fatness .
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University lead the study , publishedthis calendar month in JAMA . In a nationally representative sampling of Americans , they establish that adults with an obese BMI almost always met the touchstone for corpulency in terms of shank circumference or consistency fat percentage , too . The finding suggest that BMI remains an important universe - tier tool for value obesity , the researchers say , even as many people are attempt to phase it out .
The investigator analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NHANES ) , a sketch of Americans ’ diet and lifestyle habits on a regular basis hightail it by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . As part of the NHANES , some people are give more extensive interrogation , which include tests measuring their body avoirdupois or waistline perimeter .
Around 40% of American adults are considered obese today.© VGstockstudio via Shutterstock
The researcher take care at the most late NHANES data ( 2017 - 2018 ) that included hoi polloi who received these other run in addition to get their BMI checked . fleshiness is typically delineate as having a BMI 30 and over ( 27 for people of Asiatic descent ) . But it can also be set by bear a soundbox fat percentage of 25 % for men and 35 % for women , or a waist circumference of 40 inches for men and 35 column inch for women .
More than 98 % of people who were consider weighty using BMI alone also gibe the bank bill when either waist circumference or body avoirdupois percentage were take into account , the researchers found .
“ Although sure affected role population ( eg , jock ) may warrant further valuation , our results propose that these individuals make up a very small portion of the population , ” the investigator wrote .
Say Bye to Just BMI : expert Call for a Major Shift in How We Measure Obesity
The finding are especially relevant give recent developments in the field of fleshiness music . in the first place this January , a large group of experts called fora hefty shiftin how obesity is diagnosed .
They ’ve pushed for doctors to stop using BMI as the lone criteria for measuring obesity . or else , they say , doctors should either use two measure of body sizing ( one of which can include BMI ) or a direct mensuration of body adipose tissue to name obesity . They further called for corpulency to be grouped into two broad categories , depending on whether a soul ’s obesity is actively induce related to wellness problems : preclinical and clinical corpulency .
Other investigator and counsel in the body positivity and juicy acceptance movement have long called for BMI to be phased out , and the radical ’s conclusions were strongly plump for by many public health groups , include the American Heart Association and World Obesity Federation .
The study researchers observe , however , that direct body fat test demand specialized equipment and could be more expensive for patients in terms of out - of - pocket costs , and given their findings , many people might not benefit from undergo these other tests . Either way , it seems likely that the scientific argument over the utility of BMI is n’t quite settled yet .
“ For nearly all U.S. adult with elevated BMI , there may be limited utility to confirming supererogatory adiposity , ” the authors compose . presently , under the current BMI criteria , around40 % of adults in the U.S.are considered obese , though the charge per unit may be starting tofinally decline , thanks in part to the reaching of newer , more in force weight loss medicament like Wegovy .
BMIbody fatobesity
Daily Newsletter
Get the practiced tech , science , and culture news in your inbox day by day .
News from the future , delivered to your present .
Please select your desired newssheet and present your email to upgrade your inbox .
You May Also Like
