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Abdominal fat and BMI as predictors of health risk

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-31 20:27 UTC → 2026-09-04 15:09 UTC · added removed

A large-scale study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that abdominal fat measurements, such as waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, are more accurate predictors of cardiovascular disease and stroke risk than Body Mass Index (BMI). Analyzing data from over 260,000 individuals over an average of 20 years, researchers found that BMI fails to account for the distribution of body fat, particularly visceral fat surrounding internal organs. The research indicates that individuals with a normal BMI but high central adiposity face a 15% to 50% higher risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Expanding on these findings, research in JAMA Network Open involving 1,900 U.S. adults suggests that measuring waist circumference, either alone or alongside BMI, can effectively identify excess body fat. By comparing various screening methods against highly accurate body fat reference standards, researchers found that simpler metrics like waist circumference alone provided accuracy levels similar to more complex frameworks in detecting health risks. Lead author Aayush Visaria noted that monitoring waist size can serve as a “practical early warning sign” for issues such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, potentially allowing for earlier intervention. Additional Further research in the Journal of the Geriatrics Society highlights that waist circumference may also be a significant indicator of longevity in from Rutgers University involving 1,900 U.S. adults aged 65 and older. While larger 20 to 59 reinforces these findings, specifically linking waist circumference is linked to higher early death risks, being classified increased risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Dr. Aayush Visaria suggested that even subtle changes, such as overweight by BMI was associated with needing to loosen a lower risk belt, can serve as an early warning sign. While U.S. guidelines use thresholds of death in certain older populations compared 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men to those in the normal BMI range. indicate increased risk, researchers emphasize these should be considered alongside factors like blood pressure and cholesterol.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-04 15:09 UTC Abdominal fat and BMI as predictors of health risk
  2. 2026-08-31 20:27 UTC Abdominal fat and BMI as predictors of health risk
  3. 2026-08-29 08:16 UTC Abdominal fat and BMI as predictors of health risk
  4. 2026-08-26 14:11 UTC Abdominal fat and BMI as predictors of health risk
  5. 2026-08-14 22:43 UTC Study on abdominal fat and cardiovascular risk
  6. 2026-08-14 15:03 UTC Study on abdominal fat and cardiovascular risk

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