All articles tagged with #bmi
A study presented at the AHA Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026 finds abdominal/visceral fat predicts future heart failure more accurately than BMI, with higher belly fat linked to greater risk even in people with a normal BMI; inflammation may account for about one-third of this connection.
Without drastic action, about 227 million children aged 5–19 could be obese by 2040 and more than half a billion overweight, according to the World Obesity Federation's 2026 atlas. The report notes regional inequalities and calls for stronger policies—such as sugar taxes, limits on junk-food advertising, and front-of-pack labelling—to create healthier environments and prevent long-term health issues like cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
A Lancet analysis of more than 500,000 adults from Finland and the UK shows that obesity (BMI ≥30) raises the risk of being hospitalized for or dying from infectious diseases by about 70% versus those with a healthy weight, with obesity linked to roughly 11% of infection deaths globally and varying by country (about one in six in the UK, one in four in the US). The study suggests obesity may weaken immune defenses across infections such as flu, pneumonia, COVID-19 and gastroenteritis, and notes the need for policies that support healthy weight and vaccination; however, as it relies on observational data it cannot prove causality, and further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.
A Nutrition study of over 300 Australian university students found that gaming more than 10 hours per week is tied to poorer diet quality, higher BMI (median ≈26.3 for heavy gamers vs ≈22 for low/moderate), and worse sleep. While low and moderate gamers cluster around healthier outcomes, the excessive gaming group shows clear health risks. The study is correlational, not causal, and researchers recommend taking breaks, avoiding late‑night sessions, and choosing healthier snacks to protect wellbeing.
A study of 317 Australian university students found that those who game more than 10 hours per week (high gamers) had poorer diet quality, worse sleep, and higher BMI compared with low/moderate gamers. The study is observational and does not prove causation, but suggests excessive gaming may crowd out healthy habits. Researchers advise breaks, avoiding late-night sessions, and choosing healthier snacks to mitigate risks.
A 2023 study suggests that higher caffeine levels in the blood, influenced by genetic factors, are associated with lower body fat and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, though no link was found with cardiovascular diseases. The findings indicate potential benefits of caffeine in metabolism and weight management, but further research is needed to confirm causality and long-term effects.
A new study suggests that using waist-based measurements alongside BMI could nearly double the estimated prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults, highlighting potential underestimation by BMI alone and emphasizing the need for revised diagnostic criteria.
New research shows that waist-to-height ratio is a more reliable predictor of heart disease risk than BMI, especially for individuals with a BMI under 30, by directly reflecting central obesity linked to cardiovascular issues.
Research shows that about 20% of people with a normal BMI actually have excess abdominal fat, which increases their risk of health problems like hypertension and diabetes. Doctors should consider using additional measurements like waist circumference alongside BMI to better assess health risks, as relying solely on BMI may overlook individuals with hidden obesity.
A global study found that over 20% of adults with normal BMI have abdominal obesity, which significantly increases their risk of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, highlighting the limitations of BMI as a sole health indicator.
A new definition of obesity in the US, incorporating additional measures beyond BMI, has dramatically increased the estimated prevalence from 40% to 70%, suggesting that many Americans are now classified as obese without weight gain, raising concerns about health risks and treatment approaches.
A new definition of obesity that includes body fat distribution suggests that up to 70% of Americans may be obese, significantly higher than previous estimates, and highlights increased health risks even among those with normal BMI but excess abdominal fat.
A new obesity definition that includes waist measurements significantly increases the estimated prevalence of obesity in the US from 42.9% to 68.6%, revealing many individuals with dangerous belly fat despite normal BMI who face higher health risks. This shift could impact treatment guidelines and healthcare policies, especially for older adults and certain demographics.
Mass General Brigham researchers report that a new definition of obesity, which includes measures of body fat distribution beyond BMI, suggests that up to 70% of US adults may be obese, significantly higher than previous estimates, and that this group faces increased health risks such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
A new definition of obesity that includes measures of body fat distribution suggests that up to 70% of U.S. adults may be obese, significantly higher than previous estimates based solely on BMI, with implications for health risk assessment and treatment strategies.