OVERWEIGHT AND CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK - BEYOND BODY MASS INDEX
Keywords:
overweight, obesity, cardiometabolic risk, body mass index, anthropometric measures.Abstract
Overweight and obesity represent a significant public health problem and are associated with an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Cardiometabolic risk is determined not only by the amount of body mass, but also by the distribution and functional characteristics of adipose tissue, with particular importance of central and visceral fat accumulation. Objective: To summarize the current scientific evidence on the use of body mass index and additional anthropometric indicators in the assessment of overweight, obesity and their associated cardiometabolic risk. Methodology: A review of scientific publications, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and current scientific opinions identified through the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science was performed. Data on body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, waist-height ratio, body fatness index, body shape index and methods for assessing body composition were analyzed. Results: Body mass index remains an important and widely used primary screening tool, but it does not adequately reflect body composition and fat distribution. Waist circumference and waist-to-height ratios provide additional information on central fat accumulation and are associated with cardiometabolic risk assessment. Waist-to-hip ratio contribute to the assessment of fat distribution, while body fatness index and body shape index expand the possibilities for characterizing body shape and central adiposity. Body composition assessment methods complement anthropometric assessment by providing information on fat and lean body mass and fat distribution. Conclusion: Using body mass index as a stand-alone indicator does not provide a sufficiently complete characterization of cardiometabolic risk. Recommendations: A comprehensive assessment is recommended, combining BMI with indicators of central fat accumulation and, if necessary, with methods for assessing body composition. Such an approach allows for a more complete characterization of the anthropometric profile and its associated health risk.
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