Body fat predicts a higher health risk that BMI loses, researchers say
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The body mass index (BMI) may not be the most accurate predictor of the risk of death.
A new study by the University of Florida found that the BMI, a measurement that is commonly used to determine if the weight of a person is in a healthy range for its height, is “deeply defective” in terms of predicting mortality.
On the other hand, the body fat level is “much more precise,” concluded the study, which was published this week in Annals of Family Medicine.
BMI is an incorrect way to measure obesity, researchers say
To measure the body fat from the participants, the researchers used a method called Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA), which uses a device to measure body tissue resistance to a small electric current.
For a period of 15 years, the researchers found that those who had high body fat had 78% more probabilities than those that had healthy body fat levels.
Researchers say that the body mass index (BMI) may not be the most accurate predictor of the risk of death. (Istock)
They also had more than three times more likely to die of heart disease, the study said.
The BMI, which is calculated by dividing the weight by height, square, was described as “completely unreliable” by predicting the risk of death for a period of 15 years for any cause.
The study included 4,252 people in the US. UU. And withdrew data from the National Health and Nutrition Exam Survey.
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BMI should not be trusted as a “vital sign” of health, according to main author Frank Orlando, MD, medical director of UF Health Family Medicine in Springhill.
“I am a family doctor, and regularly, we face patients who have diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other conditions related to obesity,” Orlando said in a press release for the study.
For a period of 15 years, the researchers found that those who had high body fat had 78% more probabilities than those that had healthy body fat levels. (Istock)
“One of the routine measures that we take together with the traditional vital signs is BMI. We use BMI to detect a person who has a problem with his body composition, but it is not as precise for all as the vital signs are,” he added.
The BMI has been the international standard to measure obesity since the 1980s, according to many sources, although some experts have questioned their validity.
“I think the study shows that it is time to go to an alternative that is now demonstrated that it is much better at work.”
An individual is considered obese if your BMI has 30 or more, overweight if you have between 25 and 29.9, “normal” weight in the range of 18.5 to 24.9, or low weight if it is less than 18.5.
While the BMI is easy to calculate, one of its main limitations is that it cannot distinguish between muscle and fat mass, researchers said.
“People who are bodybuilders can really raise their body mass index,” said a doctor. “But they are healthy even with an BMI that indicates that they are obese.” (Istock)
“For example, people who are bodybuilders can really raise their body mass index,” said Orlando. “But they are healthy even with an BMI that indicates that they are obese.”
“The BMI is as rooted in how we think about body fat,” Mainous added. “I think the study shows that it is time to go to an alternative that is now demonstrated that it is much better at work.”
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Other methods, such as a dexa scan (double -energy X -ray absorptiometry), may be even more precise than BIA, but are much more expensive and not so accessible, the researchers said.
“If you talk to obesity researchers, they will say that you have to use the dexa scan because it is the most precise,” Mainous said in the statement. “And that is probably true. But it will never be viable in a medical office or family practice.”
“It has been an easy measurement tool that helps us understand groups at risk in several populations and demography, but does not provide precise patient to patient data,” said a doctor about the BMI. (Istock)
Dr. Stephen Vogel, a family medicine doctor with Pushcare, a virtual health platform with primary care, therapy and weight control options, echoed the limitations of BMI.
“It has been an easy measurement tool that helps us understand groups at risk of several populations and demography, but does not provide precise patient to patient data,” said the doctor based in North Carolina, who did not participate in the study, News Digital.
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“These findings do not challenge the assumptions about the BMI: they strengthen the message that the new standards, delivered in a consistent and low cost, would provide better nuances for the individual when it comes to their general physical health.”
Potential limitations
“The main strengths of this study are a better correlation with the risk of morbidity and mortality of an individual; however, the limitations lie in the fact that we do not have enough data to determine the correct cut for these numbers, or to identify the appropriate tools that will be precise and precise among the population,” Vogel said.
The researchers also recognized that the percentage thresholds of body fat have not yet been as standardized as the BMI and the circumference of the waist.
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In addition, the age range of the participants in the study was limited by the data source.
“Future studies should extend this comparison from body fat to BMI in older adults,” the researchers wrote.
“These data will promote better discussions in the doctor’s office, as well as public health initiatives with the aim of improving everyone’s health,” said a doctor. (Istock)
The study was also limited by focusing only on mortality as a result, they pointed out, without taking into account developing diseases, such as heart failure or cancer, which could deepen the understanding of body fat as a risk factor.
The objective, according to Vogel, is to have a profitable and consistent method that can be used throughout the population with reliable precision.
“These data will promote better discussions in the doctor’s office, as well as public health initiatives with the aim of improving everyone’s health.”
“The benefits would come in the form of a more detailed list of information that helps suppliers and patients make informed decisions about the patient’s health, which is ideal,” said Vogel.
“I hope that there is enough buzz around these measures that the steps will continue to be taken towards regular implementation.”
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Researchers hope that once the standards are validated, measuring the body fat percentage with bioelectric impedance analysis could become standard of attention.
They added: “These data will promote better discussions in the doctor’s office, as well as public health initiatives with the aim of improving everyone’s health.”
Melissa Rudy is a senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle in News Digital. The advice of history can be sent to melissa.rudy@News.com.