A new study suggests that bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a more accurate way to predict future health issues than traditional body mass index (BMI). BIA measures body fat, muscle mass, and water weight using undetectable electric currents.
Researchers found that body-fat percentage was a stronger predictor of mortality risk in adults between ages 20 to 49. The study analyzed data from 4,252 men and women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2004.
Using BIA, researchers found that people with high body fat were 262% more likely to die from heart disease than those with a healthy percentage of body fat. The study also showed that waist circumference was not as accurate in predicting health risks, but measuring body mass was still helpful.
The new approach is a game-changer for how doctors look at body composition and could lead to earlier interventions to prevent chronic diseases. While BMI remains a cheap and easily accessible option, the limitations of BIA are well-known, particularly when it comes to at-home measurements.
According to Dr. Frank Orlando, senior author of the study, “This is a game-changer for how we should look at body composition.” However, researchers note that clinic-based machines are more precise than at-home measurements and can provide accurate results.
Source: https://www.ksl.com/article/51334839/bmi-is-b-a-d-a-new-study-suggests-heres-a-better-way-to-measure-weight