09/07/2024
Every body is unique, so accordingly, what is considered a “healthy weight” will be different for everyone. Given the unique circumstances of every body, the “Body mass index” (BMI) was created. While you’re likely familiar with this tool, it’s calculated using solely your height and weight. A problem with this method is its general failure to take into account a body’s musculature, or lack thereof (such as a body that has too much critical fat in relation to musculature), as well as racial, ethnic, age and s*x diversity.
So, recently there is news of an alternative method of discerning a healthy weight that is based on a body’s shape. (Literally, how round your body is.) A June 2024 JAMA study suggests that the Body Roundness Index (BRI) may be a better predictor of health risks than BMI.
Why? Because unlike BMI, which again only accounts for height and weight, BRI includes waist and hip measurements, providing a more accurate assessment of visceral (aka belly) fat. The JAMA study found that both low and high BRI values were linked to higher mortality, thereby making it a promising tool for assessing the health risks carried by excess abdominal fat. This visceral fat surrounds vital organs like the liver, and contributes to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance that can precede Type 2 diabetes. This excess fat can also create high blood pressure and lipid abnormalities that can lead to early heart disease and death.
The bottom line is that either method will offer a critical starting point to knowingly maintain, or start working towards, your individual healthiest weight. Got a mirror? You’re on your way!
And, Bloom Health is here to support you too, if medical weight loss is something you’d like to learn more about.
Questions? We’re always happy to answer them!
