All articles tagged with #waist circumference
Research shows that about 20% of people with a normal BMI actually have excess abdominal fat, which increases their risk of health problems like hypertension and diabetes. Doctors should consider using additional measurements like waist circumference alongside BMI to better assess health risks, as relying solely on BMI may overlook individuals with hidden obesity.
A new obesity definition that includes waist measurements significantly increases the estimated prevalence of obesity in the US from 42.9% to 68.6%, revealing many individuals with dangerous belly fat despite normal BMI who face higher health risks. This shift could impact treatment guidelines and healthcare policies, especially for older adults and certain demographics.
A new study suggests that being overweight, as defined by the body mass index (BMI), may not be associated with an increased risk of early death when considered separately from other health issues. The study found that BMI is a poor indicator of mortality risk and should be supplemented with additional measures such as waist circumference and weight trajectory. However, experts caution that the study's limitations make it difficult to determine if the findings are solely due to BMI or other factors. They also emphasize that excess weight is still linked to a higher risk of developing multiple health conditions, which can adversely affect quality of life.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted a new policy that clarifies the limitations of using the body mass index (BMI) as a measure of health. The AMA called out the test's racial bias and advised that doctors use other tests, such as waist circumference, body composition, and genetic factors, in conjunction with BMI. The AMA recognizes issues with using BMI as a measurement due to its historical harm, its use for racist exclusion, and because BMI is based primarily on data collected from previous generations of non-Hispanic white populations.