Researchers at Rutgers University have found that a simple waist circumference measurement detects excess fat as effectively as complex medical methods, reports infohub.kz.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, showed that measuring the waist alone or in combination with body mass index (BMI) is just as effective as newer comprehensive methods that require multiple parameters. The scientists analyzed data from 1,900 American adults aged 20 to 59 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The researchers compared various ways of detecting obesity with highly accurate methods of measuring fat deposits. In particular, they evaluated a system proposed by independent experts that combines BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height and waist-to-hip ratios. The results showed that the simpler method provides an excellent balance between accurately identifying obesity and preventing false-positive diagnoses.
Hip measurement is rarely performed during routine doctor visits, whereas measuring the waist is much easier. Meanwhile, classic BMI alone misses many patients with excess fat because it does not account for body composition and fat distribution. Lead author Aayush Visaria noted that the need to loosen a belt or buy larger pants serves as an early signal of dangerous fat accumulation.
Regular monitoring of waist circumference can help detect the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers in advance. The authors hope their findings will help change clinical guidelines and make waist measurement a standard procedure.