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The body mass index (BMI) may not be the most precise predictor of the risk of death.
A new study by the University of Florida revealed that the BMI – a commonly used measure to determine if a The weight of the person is in a healthy fork For their size – is “deeply defective” in terms of forecasting mortality.
Instead, its level of body fat is “much more precise”, concluded that the study, which was published this week in the Annals of Family Medicine.
BMI is the wrong way to measure obesity, say the researchers
To measure the body fat of the participants, the researchers used a method called bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), which uses a device to measure the resistance of body tissue with a small electric current.
Over a period of 15 years, those who had high body fat turned out to be 78% more likely to die within this period than those who had Healthy body fat levelsThe researchers found.
The body mass index (BMI) may not be the most precise predictor of the risk of death, according to the researchers. (istock)
They were also more than three times more likely to die from heart disease, the study noted.
The BMI – which is calculated by dividing the weight by the height, in the square – was described as “completely unreliable” to predict the risk of death over a period of 15 years from any cause.
The study included 4,252 people in the United States and drawn from the national survey of health and nutrition exams.
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The BMI should not be invoked as a “vital sign” of health, according to the main author Frank Orlando, MD, medical director of the UF Health Family Medicine in Springhill.
“I am a family doctor and, on a regular basis, we face patients with diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other conditions linked to obesity“Said Orlando in a press release from the study.
Over a period of 15 years, those who had high body fat turned out to be 78% more likely to die than those who had healthy body fat, researchers revealed. (istock)
“One of the routine measures that we take alongside traditional vital signs is BMI. We use BMI to detect a person with a problem with its body composition, but it is not as precise for everyone as vital signs,” he added.
The BMI is the international standard for measuring obesity since the 1980s, according to many sources, although some experts have questioned its validity.
“I think the study shows that it is time to go to an alternative that has proven to be much better at work.”
An individual is considered obese if his BMI is 30 years or more, overweight if it is between 25 and 29.9, of “normal” weight in the beach from 18.5 to 24.9, or sub-noise, if it is less than 18.5.
While the BMI is easy to calculate, one of its main limits is that it cannot distinguish muscle and fatty massThe researchers noted.
“People who are culturalists can really raise their body mass index,” said a doctor. “But they are healthy even with a BMI indicating that they are obese.” (istock)
“For example, people who are culturalists can really raise their body mass index,” said Orlando. “But they are healthy even with a BMI indicating that they are obese.”
“The BMI is so anchored in the way we think of body fat,” added Mainous. “I think the study shows that it is time to go to an alternative that has proven to be much better at work.”
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Other methods, such as a Dexa scan (double energy X -ray absorptiometry), can be even more precise than BIA, but are much more expensive and not as accessible, have noted the researchers.
“If you talk to the researchers of obesity, they will say that you should use the Dexa Scan Because it is the most precise, “said hand in the press release.” And that’s probably true. But it will never be viable in the office of a doctor or family practice. “”
“It was an easy measurement tool that helps us understand risk groups in various populations and demographic data, but it does not provide specific patient data to the patient,” said a doctor about the BMI. (istock)
Dr. Stephen Vogel – A family medicine doctor with Plushcare, a virtual health platform with primary care, therapy and weight management options – has echoed the BMI limits.
“It was an easy measurement tool that helps us understand risk groups in various populations and demographic data, but it does not provide specific patient data to the patient,” said the doctor based in North Carolina, which was not involved in the study, in Fox News Digital.
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“These results do not question the hypotheses on the BMI – they strengthen the message that the new standards, delivered in a coherent and low cost manner, would provide a better nuance to the individual with regard to their overall physical health.”
Potential limitations
“The main forces of this study are a better correlation with the risk of an individual of morbidity and mortality – However, the limitations reside in the fact that we do not have enough data to determine the right limit for these figures, or to identify the right tools that will be both precise and precise through the population, “said Vogel.
The researchers also recognized that the percentage thresholds of body fat had not yet been as standardized as the BMI and the waist.
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In addition, the age group age group was limited by the data source.
“Future studies should extend this comparison from body fat to BRI in the elderly,” the researchers wrote.
“These data will lead to better discussions in the doctor’s office, as well as public health initiatives in order to improve everyone’s health,” said a doctor. (istock)
The study was also limited by focusing solely on mortality as a result, they noted, without taking into account developing diseases – 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 coherent and profitable method which can be used in the population with reliable precision.
“These data will lead to better discussions in the doctor’s office, as well as public health initiatives in order to improve everyone’s health.”
“The advantages would come in the form of a more detailed list of information that helps service providers and patients make informed decisions on the Patient healthWhat is ideal, “noted Vogel.
“I hope there is enough buzz around these measures that the stages will continue to be taken towards regular implementation.”
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The researchers hope that once the standards validated, the measurement of the percentage of body fat with an analysis of bioelectric impedance could become a standard of care.
They added: “These data will lead to better discussions in the doctor’s office, as well as Public health initiatives in order to improve everyone’s health. “”