A new population study from the University of Florida has found that body mass index (BMI) is not a reliable method for predicting future health risks associated with weight. Instead, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which directly measures body fat, may be a more accurate alternative.
Researchers measured BMI and BIA in a nationally representative sample of adults over 15 years. The results showed that those with high body fat levels, as measured by BIA, faced a 262% increased risk of death from heart disease compared to those with lower levels. However, BMI scores failed to show any significant association with mortality.
The study’s findings challenge the long-held use of BMI as a standard measure of obesity and have sparked concerns about its accuracy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations have endorsed BMI, but researchers have questioned its limitations, including its failure to consider body build, age, gender, sex, race, or ethnicity differences.
The study proposes BIA as a more accurate alternative, which can be measured using portable and inexpensive devices. While not perfect, BIA has been commercially available since the 1980s and is now being incorporated into fitness trackers and smartwatches.
The researchers’ findings suggest that BIA may become a standard of care in medical clinics, leading to better discussions with patients and public health initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/bmi-is-an-awful-predictor-of-early-death-weve-had-a-better-option-for-decades