Body Fat Percentage Outperforms Bmi In Predicting Early Mortality

Background and goal: Although assemblage wide scale (BMI) is wide utilized successful clinics arsenic nan modular measurement of assemblage composition, it tin perchance misclassify muscular individuals arsenic overweight and miss cases of "normal-weight obesity," masking superior metabolic and bosom illness risks. This study examined BMI vs assemblage fat percent for 15-year mortality consequence among adults aged 20-49 years.

Study approach: Researchers from nan University of Florida analyzed information from 4,252 participants successful nan 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally typical sample of non-institutionalized U.S. adults ages 20 to 49. All participants had complete technician measured assemblage creation data, including height, weight and waist circumference. Body-fat percent was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Records were linked to nan National Death Index done 2019. 

Main results:

• Adults pinch a precocious body-fat percent (27% aliases much successful men; 44% aliases much successful women) were 1.78 times much apt to dice from immoderate origin than individuals successful nan patient assemblage fat scope (HR 1.78; 95% CI, 1.28 to 2.47). Adults pinch a precocious body-fat percent were besides 3.62 times much apt to dice from bosom illness (HR 3.62; 95% CI, 1.55 to 8.45).

• Overweight/obese BMI (25 kg/m² aliases higher) was not associated pinch a statistically important higher consequence of decease from immoderate cause, compared pinch adults successful nan patient BMI scope (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.84).

• Adults pinch a precocious waist circumference (more than 40 inches successful men; much than 35 inches successful women) were 1.59 times much apt to dice from immoderate origin than individuals successful nan patient scope (HR 1.59; 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.26). Adults pinch a precocious waist circumference were besides 4.01 times much apt to dice from bosom illness (HR 4.01; 95% CI, 1.94 to 8.27).

Why it matters: The study findings support reexamining really assemblage creation is measured successful objective settings. Historically, it has been difficult to measurement assemblage fat percent successful superior attraction outpatient settings. New bioelectrical impedance devices person nan imaginable to alteration this.