A recently published study suggests that a person’s “roundness” index may be a better indicator of health than their body mass index (BMI).
The study, titled “Body Roundness Index and All-Casual Mortality in US Adults,” was published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and recommends using the Body Roundness Index (BRI), which was developed in 2013.
BMI, the standard measure of obesity since the 1980s, is calculated by dividing weight by height in feet squared and was first devised by Belgian mathematician Lambert-Adolphe Jacques Quetelet in the 19th century.
On the BMI scale, a number below 18.5 is considered underweight. A BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight, and a BMI score above 30 is considered obese.
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New research recommends using the Body Roundness Index (BRI) instead of Body Mass Index (BMI). (iStock)
Although BMI is the standard way of measuring obesity, it does have its drawbacks: for example, because muscle weight increases, a healthy, muscular person of any given weight may be deemed overweight or obese by BMI.
BRI, on the other hand, is calculated using circumference for height and weight rather than just height and weight. BRI scores are also determined using a more complicated formula.
“The BRI takes into account waist circumference in addition to weight and height, and therefore can more comprehensively reflect visceral fat distribution,” the study explains.
Studies have shown that the BRI is a more effective way of measuring mortality in patient groups.
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BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight by their height in feet squared. (iStock)
“The BRI was found to be superior to other anthropometric indices in estimating the risk of a range of clinical endpoints, including cardiometabolic disease, kidney disease and cancer,” the study claims.
The researchers also said their findings suggest that the BRI “may hold promise as a new anthropometric measure associated with all-cause mortality.”
“Our findings provide compelling evidence for the application of the BRI as a non-invasive, easily accessible screening tool to estimate mortality risk and identify those at high risk, and represent a novel concept that can be incorporated into public health practice pending consistent validation in other independent studies,” the paper concludes.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has criticised BMI in the past, saying in a report last year that its use was “flawed” and “problematic” and that it had been used to “racially exclude”.
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The BRI utilizes not only height and weight, but also circumference for height and weight. (iStock)
“The BMI cutoff is based on the imaginary ideal white person. [do] “It does not take into account an individual’s gender or ethnicity,” the report, released at the AMA’s 2023 annual meeting, said.
Fox News contributor Dr. Marc Siegel criticized the allegations, saying the criticism is “politics, not medicine.”
“I never thought the AMA would get involved in cancel culture, but now they’re trying to cancel BMI, which is something I’m watching as at least a catalyst in the direction of obesity,” Siegel said.
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Recent studies argue that the BRI is a more effective way of assessing population health. (iStock)
“This isn’t racism. It’s called good medicine.”
Fox News Digital’s Melissa Ruddy contributed to this report.
