Rutgers study supports waist measurements for routine obesity screening

New obesity definitions reveal ill health more accurately than body mass index

Traditionally, obesity has been classified primarily using BMI, a measure of weight relative to height that provides limited information about whether excess fat is actually affecting a person's health. BMI levels have historically played a central role in determining eligibility and priority for metabolic bariatric surgery—operations on the stomach that help people lose weight and treat health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes.

Rutgers study supports waist measurements for routine obesity screening

Measuring waist size may be one of the simplest and most effective ways to detect obesity-related health risks, according to a study by Rutgers Health researchers.

Researchers Find That Waist Size Is a Powerful Indicator of Health Risks | Newswise: News for Journalists

Measuring waist size may be one of the simplest and most effective ways to detect obesity-related health risks, according to a study by Rutgers Health researchers. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that combining body mass index (BMI) with waist circumference, or using waist circumference alone, performed as well as a newly proposed obesity definition that incorporates multiple body measurements.