Waist size a better predictor of heart disease risk than BMI, study finds

A recent study has revealed that waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio may be more effective in predicting cardiovascular disease risk compared to the traditional body mass index (BMI). According to the research, these body measurements provide a more accurate depiction of fat distribution in the body, rather than solely focusing on overall weight. BMI, which is based on the relationship between weight and height, fails to indicate where excess fat is located in the body.

The researchers, led by Dr. Michael Blaha from Johns Hopkins University, published their findings in a journal of the American College of Cardiology. They noted that overlooking waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio when assessing cardiovascular risk could result in inaccurate risk categorization. People with a normal weight but elevated abdominal fat and a high waist-to-hip ratio, particularly those with a high waist-to-hip ratio, are 15% to 50% more likely to experience fatal and non-fatal strokes and heart disease.

In contrast, obese individuals with a low waist circumference have health outcomes comparable to those of normal-weight people with a low waist circumference. Dr. Harlan Krumholz, editor-in-chief of the journal and not involved in the study, emphasized the importance of shifting focus from BMI to waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. He highlighted that fat distribution is a crucial factor and called for these measurements to be incorporated into routine cardiovascular risk assessments.