MILLIONS of middle-aged people have been wrongly tricked into thinking they are not obeseand, one study revealed.
Italian scientists have found that lowering the body mass index (BMI) threshold for obesity to 27 could give a more accurate picture of who is affected.
As people age, muscles decrease and more fat accumulates around organs and the stomach, often leading to no measurable difference in weight.
Having excess belly fat can be especially dangerous and puts people at greater risk of developing several types of health problems — including heart disease and diabetes.
Although BMI calculates someone’s total weight, it doesn’t take into account where fat is stored.
He arrives at a number, usually between 14 and 42, by dividing an adult’s weight in kilograms by the square of his height in meters.
According to the old method – still acclaimed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and NHS doctors – people with a BMI of 30 or more are obese.
The new study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity, looked at body fat rather than height-related weight.
They compared the BMI scores and body fat percentage results of 4,800 Italian adults between the ages of 40 and 80.
Only 38% of men and 41% of women had a BMI above 30 – but when body fat percentage was calculated through testing, 71% and 64% were obese.
Professor Marwan El Ghoch, from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, said: “This new BMI cutoff recognizes the physiological differences between middle-aged adults, older adults and younger populations.
“It is likely that changes in body composition across the lifespan, which appear to occur without a significant change in body weight, lead to greater adiposity at a lower BMI.”
The analysis suggested that 27 is the ideal BMI cutoff for obesity in older adults, with a 90 percent accuracy rate.
However, the researchers highlighted the limitations of the study, which was carried out in only one area of Italy.
What is my BMI?
Body mass index is a formula used to decipher whether patients are at a healthy weight.
Measurements may also reveal that you are clinically classified as underweight, overweight, or obese.
How do I calculate this?
If you’re good with numbers, you can divide your weight by your height in meters squared.
But who wants to do that when the NHS has created a practical tool for you to use.
The tool assesses your age, gender, height and weight, before estimating your BMI.
When do I need to worry?
After calculating your BMI, you will be given a number, usually between 18.5 and 30.
Those who have a BMI of 18.5 to 25 are considered to be at a healthy weight.
If your number is between 25 and 30 you are considered overweight and if it exceeds 30 you are considered obese.
The NHS recommends that people stay within a healthy weight for their age and height.
If you are not within a healthy weight range, you are at a much higher risk of obesity-related diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
But on the other side of the scale, you can also be underweight.
Anyone with a BMI of less than 18.5 is considered underweight and is at greater risk of immune system problems, brittle bones, and infertility.
Other important factors, such as eating habits, exercise and sleeping patterns, were not considered.
Professor Antonino De Lorenzo, from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, added: “If we continue to use the WHO standard for obesity screening, we will miss many middle-aged and older adults who are at risk of obesity-related diseases. obesity, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.
“Establishing this new BMI cutoff point in clinical settings and obesity guidelines will be beneficial to the potential health of millions of older adults.”
How to lose weight safely
Losing weight should be a long-term commitment to healthier living rather than any drastic measures.
Tips from the NHS – which can be adopted slowly – include:
- Stay active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions
- Aim to get 5 a day – 80g of fresh, tinned or frozen fruit or vegetables counts as 1 serving
- Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds, or 0.5 to 1 kg, per week
- Read food labels – products that are color coded greener than amber and red are often a healthier option
- Swap sugary drinks for water – if you don’t like the taste, add lemon or lime slices for flavor
- Reduce your consumption of foods high in sugar and fat – start by swapping sugary cereals for whole-grain alternatives
- Share your weight loss plan with someone you trust – they can help motivate you when you have a bad day
Read about:
- The five bases for fat loss
- The calorie formula for weight loss
- The Perfect Portion Sizes for Weight Loss Meals
- Sun Health 8-Week Weight Loss Starter Plan
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
