Rutgers Health study identifies waist size as key obesity risk indicator

A study conducted by Rutgers Health researchers suggests that measuring waist circumference may be one of the simplest and most effective methods for detecting health risks associated with obesity. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from 1,900 American adults aged 20 to 59 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The study compared various diagnostic approaches, including a recently proposed framework that integrates body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio. While the complex framework identified more individuals with excess body fat, researchers found that simpler methods—such as using waist circumference alone or combining it with BMI—offered similar accuracy and a better balance between identifying obesity and avoiding false-positive diagnoses.

Lead author Aayush Visaria noted that monitoring waist size can help clinicians and patients identify unhealthy levels of body fat earlier. Early detection through these practical tools may provide opportunities to reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.