Key points from article :
New research from the UK Biobank suggests that waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a more accurate predictor of all-cause mortality compared to body mass index (BMI) or fat mass index (FMI).
Conducted using UK Biobank data, the study analysed BMI, FMI, and WHR in relation to mortality, adjusting for various factors, including genetics.
WHR is a better measure of abdominal fat mass, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and other chronic diseases.
The research underscores that even individuals with a low BMI should be cautious about abdominal fat, as it remains a potential health hazard.
Study highlights the need to shift public health focus from measures of general adiposity, such as BMI, to adiposity distribution using WHR.
The findings of the study are published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
