Could we all be saying good-bye to BMI? Waist to height ratio might be a better measure of body fat than the more widely used body mass index (BMI) for predicting health risks - so says new research.
The team of researchers examined 31 studies that included over 300,000 subjects belonging to a variety of ethnic groups, finding that waist to height ratio was far more accurate than either BMI or waist circumference at predicting specific health risks - things like hypertension, diabetes as well as heart disease.
In another report saw experts take the research to the next step. They reported that a man, aged 30 who did not smoke would have a lower life expectancy (by up to 14%) if the circumference of his waist was over half his height.
Keeping that waist trim is key, and could help many people the world over according to researchers. The great thing about waist to height ratio is that it can be used across all genders and ethnic groups. As this method also accounts for different heights, it can be used in any nation and on any population.
In the U.S., the findings are welcome news, as there are many professionals who are not happy with relying on BMI. Other nations, including the UK. Australia, Japan, India and Brazil are also coming to support this approach.
Experts suggest that all of us take out that tape measure and check your own waist measurement. Pay attention to the ratio between your waist measurement and your height - your true height, not the one listed on your driver's license or that you were in your 20s.
The problem with the more widely used BMI is that it's based on your height and weight, without considering muscle mass. This means that a very muscular person's BMI might classify them as obese, even though clearly that weight is not fat, but muscle. Waist circumference, considered an improvement over BMI, shows just how much weight you're carrying around the middle, the most dangerous place on the body for fat to be, as it increases your risk of heart disease, a stroke, diabetes and even a few cancers.
To get your waist measurement, put a tape measure around your waist at the belly button and rest it against your skin, not pushing in, and being sure you have the tape measure in the same place all the way around. The measurement you want is the one where the end meets the tape beginning. See... easy and affordable, though more research is required to show experts how to use the information.
As a rule of thumb, when assessing your measure of body fat try to keep your waist to less than half of your height; you'll likely live longer. Or at least keep your waistline measurement to under 60% (0.6) of your height. Even a small weight loss can have a big impact. You can do this by eating a healthy, balanced diet that's low on fat and sugars, being active on most days of the week and making sure you get a good night's sleep most of the time.
FREE Bonus Secret Health Reports - For a limited time you can grab 5 FREE essential health reports from the Daily Health Bulletin. Click through now to discover more effective ways to measure of body fat than BMI.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kirsten_Whittaker/10824
"What do you think?" Comment in the box below.
No comments:
Post a Comment