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BMI greatly underestimates the true extent of obesity
A new study suggests that body mass index (BMI) significantly underestimates the true extent of obesity in adults:
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The research highlights the shortcomings of BMI and underscores the need for additional measures to assess obesity.
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The study found that twice as many adults were classified as obese when their body fat volume was measured using a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan compared to BMI. This finding makes it clear that the BMI alone is not sufficient to correctly assess obesity.
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Dr Aayush Visaria of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, New Jersey, emphasized that BMI should be supplemented with other measures used to assess obesity. This could include, for example, bioelectrical impedance scales that use a small electrical current to take a bioelectrical impedance measurement of body fat percentage. Dr Visaria stated that the DEXA scan is not practical or cost-effective for screening obesity in routine practice.
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In a new guideline, the American Medical Association recommends using BMI in conjunction with other valid risk measures such as visceral fat, body obesity index, body composition, relative fat percentage, waist circumference, and genetic/metabolic factors.​
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The results showed that the DEXA scan detected obesity in 74% of the participants based on body fat content, while BMI indicated obesity in only 36% of the participants.
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The Study also shows that the proportion of undetected obesity was highest among Hispanic and Asian people. In both groups, 49% obesity was determined by DEXA scan in subjects with a normal BMI.
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In women, obesity was the most frequently overlooked, with a prevalence of 59% in women with a normal BMI.
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The study was not commercially funded, and Dr. Visaria said it had no relevant financial ties.
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Source: ENDO 2023. Abstract OR10-01. Presented on June 16, 2023.
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