BMI may not accurately reflect obesity in older adults

BMI, or body mass index, is widely used to evaluate obesity. It compares a person's weight to their height to assess body fat. A higher BMI indicates a greater risk of health issues like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. However, a new study reveals that BMI may not be a reliable measure, especially as people age. The study, conducted by researchers from Italy and Lebanon, will be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Spain. They found that body composition changes significantly with age, even if BMI remains constant. For example, fat can accumulate in the belly while muscle mass decreases in the arms and legs. Professor Marwan El Ghoch, a study author, states that these changes make BMI less dependable. He emphasizes the need to consider how fat and muscle are distributed in the body. The study included 2,844 adults aged 20 to 79, all with a BMI of 25 or higher. Participants were grouped by age and had their body composition measured using advanced techniques. The results showed that people with similar BMIs can actually have very different distributions of fat and muscle. Professor El Ghoch warns that focusing only on BMI could lead to underestimating obesity-related health risks. He suggests exploring alternative methods for measuring body composition. While more research is necessary, this study indicates the importance of looking beyond BMI for a clearer understanding of obesity and associated health risks.