More evidence that waist size is a much better measure of health than the BMI
Posted on 30 June 2008
The body mass index (BMI) is the standard and most commonly-used method for assessing body weight by health professionals. It is calculated by dividing an individual
Published June 30, 2008 . Filed under: Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome, Healthy Eating, Low-Carbohydrate/Carbohydrate Restriction, Weight Loss
I’ve read your blog for quite a few months but not commented. I’d like to say I find your posts interesting and informative.
I’ve been following a moderately low carb diet since February this year and lost 10cm from my waist (as well as similar amounts from hips and bust) so can add some more anecdotal evidence that a low carb approach works. Just got to get rid of another 5cm and I will be in the health range according to that study!
July 4, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
I completely agree with this concept. We have known for quite awhile that waist circumference is positively correleated with heart disease risk.
Further, muscle weighs more than fat, so two people could be the same height and weight, with two completely difference fat/lean ratios but the same BMI. Clearly, the person with the greater lean percentage would have a smaller waist size.
July 5, 2008 @ 12:34 am
I don’t get this. Why is waist size an indicator of abdomen size? My waist isn’t big, (size 12), but my abdomen IS.
Tiggy.
July 5, 2008 @ 1:08 am
It is good to know that science comes round to the truth. Please find the best way to measure the waists of large people, for consistency, because the rolls of fat for large people, can be wider than at the tummy button and changes as they lose the fat.
Thank you for Dr Briffa
July 5, 2008 @ 11:59 am
my only issue with this is that it does not take into account a persons height or overall body build – it is still a load of poppy-cock sorry but what is so hard about saying to be healthy we need to eat less if not zero sugar which is actually according to the studies & information I have read the number one poor health indicator. in that the higher your carb/sugar consumption the poorer your health in all respects.
July 8, 2008 @ 12:21 am
I believe this is another “last ditch” attempt to shore up the “fat kills!” dogma, this time shifting the blame to visceral or “internal” body fat.
Published in the April edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the CDC and National cancer institute (of the U.S.A.) assessed various body measurements; BMI [weight (kg)/height (m)2]; percentage of body fat measured by bioelectrical impedance; skin-fold thickness; circumference of waist, hip, and arm and waist-hip ratio; waist-height ratio for all-cause mortality. Their finding were;
? The fractions of all-cause mortality associated at low levels of all the variables were similar and small, ranging from 0.3% to 2.5%.
? For intermediate levels of each body measure compared with the reference measurements, the associations with all causes of mortality were negative (-1.8% to -9%)
August 30, 2009 @ 7:25 pm