A new study challenges the idea that being overweight, as determined by a body mass index (BMI) scale, is associated with a higher risk of death.
BMI scales calculate body fat based on height and weight, and classify adults as “overweight” if their BMI is between 25 and 29.9.Considered obese based on a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
However, new research suggests that BMI alone is insufficient as an indicator of mortality risk and should be supplemented with other measures such as waist circumference and weight trajectory.
The study was published in the journal PLOS OneLed by Dr. Aayush Visaria and Dr. Soko Setoguchi of the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine at Rutgers University, the analysis analyzed data on more than 554,000 non-pregnant Americans aged 20 and older.
Participants’ BMI levels were compared with mortality rates over 20 years. The findings showed that while individuals with a BMI level above 27.5 had a slightly increased risk of death, there was no significant increase in mortality among adults 65 and older with a BMI between 22.5 and 34.9.
However, experts not involved in the study said CNN Due to certain limitations, the study results should be interpreted with caution. They point out that observational studies can only establish associations, not cause and effect.
In addition, the study did not take into account other important outcomes, such as quality of life or the occurrence of comorbidities such as diabetes or heart disease. It is also worth noting that unintentional weight loss due to illness in older adults may have influenced the U-shaped relationship between BMI and mortality.
The study highlights the need to consider broader health indicators beyond body mass index. Waist circumference and other measures of obesity were more informative in predicting mortality risk, the study found.
Elevated waist circumference was associated with a higher risk of death, especially in the overweight range of body mass index. Deep belly fat, known as visceral fat, has been linked to several health complications such as dementia, heart disease, frailty and premature death.
While the study highlights the limitations of using body mass index as the sole indicator of health risk, experts stress that being overweight still carries risks and can lead to a variety of health conditions.this American Medical Association and American Heart Association It is recommended to combine other indicators such as waist circumference and BMI for a comprehensive health assessment.
Ultimately, a holistic approach that considers various factors, including fat distribution and overall health status, is critical to understanding an individual’s weight-related health risks.
Published by Medicaldaily.com