Waist circumference — a simple indicator of hidden risks
A new study has shown that measuring waist circumference is just as effective at identifying excess body fat and related health risks as more complex methods. This simple approach can help doctors and patients detect potential health threats in a timely manner—risks that may not always be apparent from body mass index alone.
Salus
Measuring waist circumference can reveal health risks that are not always detected by body weight alone. A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that this simple metric, whether used on its own or together with body mass index (BMI), is as effective as more complex methods based on multiple anthropometric measurements. This approach can help doctors and patients identify unhealthy levels of body fat and related health issues in a timely manner.
The study analyzed data from 1,900 American adults aged 20 to 59 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Researchers compared different obesity screening methods using highly accurate body fat measurements. Among the evaluated methods was a new diagnostic system that combined BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio.
Although the new system identified more people with excess body fat, simpler methods—such as measuring only BMI or waist circumference—showed similar accuracy. Using these indicators provided an optimal balance between correctly identifying obesity and minimizing false positives. Even when used alone, waist circumference produced nearly the same results.
Practical significance
Measuring waist circumference is easier than determining hip circumference and is more commonly included in clinical guidelines. This method is accessible to both doctors and patients and can be used for early detection of risks for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
Limitations of BMI
The study highlighted the limitations of relying solely on BMI, which fails to identify a significant number of people with obesity based on body fat criteria. BMI does not reflect differences in body composition or indicate where fat is stored. The location of fat accumulation can be important for health, so measuring waist circumference provides additional information that BMI does not capture.
Impact on recommendations
The findings may influence future obesity screening guidelines and encourage wider use of waist circumference measurement in medical practice to identify individuals at higher health risk.