Many people use BMI to assess whether they are overweight, but the BMI index is not completely accurate. Referring to the BRI index may help you maintain your health more effectively.
The classic BMI index may not be completely accurate
The BMI (body mass index) , which is calculated by dividing the weight (kg) by the square of the height (m). It is the most commonly used indicator to assess whether the weight is normal, and it is also an important indicator for large sample screening of obesity.
BMI index classification standard
However, because it relies on the two values of height and weight, it does not take into account the impact of different body composition of the tested person, resulting in BMI results that are inconsistent with the facts. In other words, two people with the same BMI index may have very different health conditions.
For example, bodybuilding enthusiasts have a low body fat rate and a high muscle content, but a high BMI index, while another type of people are defined by the BMI index as having a normal or even low weight, but excessive visceral fat.
An index that better describes obesity: BRI index
BRI (body roundness index) is called the body roundness index, which is used to assess whether the body's visceral fat content exceeds the standard. The index is calculated based on height and waist circumference. The higher the value, the more obvious the accumulation of visceral fat, and the higher the incidence of diseases such as obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Calculation formula of BRI index
Compared with BMI index, the biggest difference of BRI index is that it does not take weight into account, but directly measures waist circumference, effectively shielding muscle bodybuilders and being able to capture those with excessive visceral fat in time. Especially for the elderly, BRI index can more accurately assess their health status.
How to self-test BRI index?
Waist circumference measurement should be as accurate as possible. The standard waist circumference measurement method is as follows:
1. The person being measured should wear light clothing, stand vertically, with both feet naturally separated by 25 to 30cm, weight evenly distributed to both legs, keep steady breathing, and avoid measuring while inhaling.
2. Use a non-elastic tape measure with a minimum scale of 1mm to measure horizontally around the abdomen at the midpoint of the line connecting the highest point of the iliac crest and the lower edge of the 12th rib, keeping all parts of the tape measure in a horizontal position and close to the skin without pressing on it.
3. When measuring, the person being measured should keep the abdomen relaxed and not pull in the abdomen.
4. The measurement value should be accurate to 1mm.
Studies generally believe that people with a BRI of around 4.5 to 5.5 are relatively healthy and have a relatively low risk of death.
People with a BRI of less than 3.4 may have malnutrition, muscle atrophy or lack of activity, and their all-cause mortality rate may increase by 25%.
For people with a BRI of 6.9 or above, their all-cause mortality rate may increase by 49%, indicating that visceral fat accumulation is more obvious and the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other diseases is also higher.
Limitations of BRI
It should be noted that BRI also has certain limitations. As a newer body assessment index, BRI has less relevant research than BMI. At present, there is still a lack of sufficient long-term research data to support the specific changes and predictive value of BRI in different populations and different disease states.
In addition, the measurement results are prone to large deviations and are not conducive to repeated measurements.
In fact, whether using the BMI index or the BRI index, don't feel anxious because of a specific value. Choosing an active and healthy lifestyle and controlling body fat through active exercise and a reasonable diet is the core.