BMI Alone Questioned for Predicting Mortality Risk in Seniors

A recent study has challenged the notion that body mass index (BMI) alone can accurately predict mortality risk in older adults, highlighting the importance of abdominal obesity. The research, led by Furong Xu, PhD, from the University of Rhode Island, analyzed data from over 6,905 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older followed for more than a decade.

The findings, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, indicate that waist circumference, independent of BMI, is a stronger predictor of mortality risk. Specifically, older men and women with a high waist circumference (40 inches for men, 35 inches for women) faced a 24% higher mortality risk than those with a low waist circumference, even after accounting for BMI.

Analysis revealed that each 5-inch increase in waist circumference corresponded to a significant rise in mortality hazard for both sexes. Conversely, when BMI was analyzed independently, lower mortality risk was observed in overweight and obese men and women compared to their normal-weight counterparts. The study suggests that BMI alone may inadequately assess mortality risk in older adults, particularly when central adiposity is not considered.

The researchers recommend using additional measures such as waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, or direct fat mass measurement to better evaluate health risks in this population.