BMI (Body Mass Index) is commonly used tool to assess if someone’s weight is within a healthy range based on their height. However, BMI has significant limitations, particularly for assessing the health of specific populations like Indians. Below are some reasons why BMI may not be an accurate health indicator for Indians:
1. Overlooks Fat Distribution
- Visceral Fat and Abdominal Obesity: Indians tend to accumulate more visceral fat (fat around internal organs) and abdominal fat, even with a “normal” BMI. This type of fat increases the risk of metabolic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, making BMI an unreliable measure of health.
- Higher Risk at Lower BMI: Indians are at a greater risk of developing conditions like Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, even at lower BMI ranges. Studies show that Indians may experience metabolic syndrome with a BMI of 23 and above, which might be categorized as normal or overweight or obese by standard BMI criteria.
2. Fails to Differentiate Between Muscle and Fat
- Muscle Mass vs. Fat Mass: BMI does not differentiate between muscle and fat. Indians, who often have less muscle mass than Western populations, may have a misleading BMI since they may carry a higher percentage of body fat despite having a low BMI.
- Sarcopenia: As Indians age, they may lose muscle mass (sarcopenia), which could lead to poor health outcomes such as frailty and metabolic issues despite having a normal BMI.
3. Neglects Ethnic Differences
- Distinct Body Composition in South Asians: South Asians, including Indians, have a different body composition compared to other populations. They generally have a higher body fat percentage and lower muscle mass at the same BMI. Thus, BMI standards derived from Western populations may not be suitable for Indians.
- Need for Adjusted Cutoffs: Various health experts recommend lower BMI thresholds (23-24.9 for overweight and 25+ for obesity) for South Asians since they face increased health risks at lower BMI levels than Westerners.
4. Doesn’t Reflect Metabolic Health
- Thin on the Outside, Fat on the Inside (TOFI): Many Indians with a seemingly normal BMI may have hidden visceral fat, which puts them at risk for metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and diabetes. BMI alone doesn’t capture this health risk.
- Metabolically Healthy Obesity (MHO): Some people with a high BMI may still be metabolically healthy, and BMI alone cannot distinguish between those who are overweight but healthy and those at risk of severe health problems.
5. Influence of Culture and Diet
- Dietary Habits: Traditional Indian diets, rich in refined carbohydrates such as rice and bread, can lead to metabolic issues even if BMI is within the normal range.
- Physical Activity Levels: BMI also does not account for lifestyle factors like physical activity. Many Indians with a normal BMI may have sedentary lifestyles, increasing their risk of health complications.
6. Lacks Consideration of Additional Health Metrics
- Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR): Indians often have a higher waist-to-hip ratio, which is a better measure of health risks than BMI. Waist circumference and WHR can more effectively predict the likelihood of heart disease and diabetes.
- Body Fat Percentage: Tools such as DEXA scans, skinfold calipers, or bioelectrical impedance provide a clearer picture of body fat percentage and distribution, making them more reliable than BMI alone.
Conclusion
BMI does not provide an accurate assessment of health for Indians due to factors such as fat distribution, muscle mass, and metabolic health. A more comprehensive evaluation, including waist circumference, body fat percentage, and metabolic markers, is crucial for assessing health risks like diabetes and heart disease, which are prevalent in the Indian population.
References:
- howdhury, R., et al. (2018). Sarcopenia and frailty: The influence of age and race/ethnicity on muscle mass and muscle strength. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy.
- Dixon, J. B., et al. (2015). Metabolically healthy obesity: Definition, determinants, and consequences. International Journal of Obesity.
- Elia, M. (1992). Body composition techniques. Clinical Nutrition.
- Heymsfield, S. B., et al. (2014). Human body composition: Advances in models and methods. Annual Review of Nutrition.
- Hsieh, S. D., et al. (1998). Waist-to-hip ratio as a predictor of obesity-related risk. Obesity Research.
- Lean, M. E. J., et al. (1995). The importance of body fat distribution in the prediction of risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. International Journal of Obesity.
- Misra, A., & Khurana, L. (2008). Obesity and the metabolic syndrome in developing countries. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
- Nair, K. S., & Reddy, K. (2015). Visceral fat and its association with metabolic syndrome in South Asian populations. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.
- Reddy, K. S., et al. (2010). Dietary patterns and the risk of metabolic syndrome. Nutrition Reviews.
- Srinivasan, S. R., et al. (2005). Visceral fat and its role in cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Cardiology.
- WHO (2004). Global Report on Diabetes. World Health Organization.
- Yadav, D., et al. (2011). Physical activity and its impact on metabolic health in South Asian populations. Journal of Physical Activity and Health.
About the author
Asma Siddiqua
Asma Siddiqua is a Senior Consultant and Clinical Dietitian at ProGen Weight Management with over 5 years of experience in managing obesity and related co-morbidities. She specializes in reversing diabetes and helping clients achieve and maintain healthy body fat percentages. Asma is dedicated to providing personalized, evidence-based dietary guidance to support sustainable weight loss and improved overall health.
About the author
Asma Siddiqua
Asma Siddiqua is a Senior Consultant and Clinical Dietitian at ProGen Weight Management with over 5 years of experience in managing obesity and related co-morbidities. She specializes in reversing diabetes and helping clients achieve and maintain healthy body fat percentages. Asma is dedicated to providing personalized, evidence-based dietary guidance to support sustainable weight loss and improved overall health.
WhatsApp us
63 Comments
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my site to rank for some targeted keywords but
I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please
share. Thanks! I saw similar art here: Eco bij
27, 2004. (Sept. Sapphire Energy.
sugar defender official website As a person who’s constantly
been cautious about my blood glucose, finding Sugar Defender has actually been an alleviation.
I feel so much more in control, and my current exams have shown positive renovations.
Knowing I have a trustworthy supplement to sustain my regular gives me comfort.
I’m so happy for Sugar Protector’s influence on my wellness!
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who was conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this matter here on your website.
Greetings! Very useful advice within this article! It’s the little changes that will make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It is the little changes which will make the most important changes. Thanks for sharing!
Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It is the little changes which will make the greatest changes. Many thanks for sharing!
By incorporating parts corresponding to inexperienced spaces, lively spaces, pro-social locations, and safety measures, cities can create restorative environments that promote positive mental health outcomes.
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Thanks.
Agent fares can be found now by means of August 2015 that includes itineraries to Asia on the newly refurbished Star Delight beginning at $1,299 pp dbl.
sugar defender reviews Sugarcoating Protector
to my day-to-day regimen was just one of the best decisions I’ve
produced my wellness. I take care about what I consume, yet this supplement includes an added layer of assistance.
I really feel extra stable throughout the day, and my yearnings
have actually reduced substantially. It behaves to have something so basic that makes such a big distinction!
Probably the most celebrated moment within the 2nd Division’s history involved the Liberation of Paris.
Nonetheless, to criticism or negative feedback and unjust, will take part in the administration of popularity, in order that clients know previous and future that actually promote the very best widgets round.
In reality, Kosovo is without doubt one of the world’s latest nations, solely officially taking this standing in 2008.
You have remarked very interesting points! ps nice internet site. .Grece
Barr received the social gathering’s nomination after six rounds of balloting at the 2008 Libertarian Celebration Nationwide Convention.
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your information. This great article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.
A lot of people were enthusiastic sportsmen or enjoyed music and dancing. Chances are you’ll recall that you were most joyful on the functioning track. Nonetheless, with increasing obligations maybe you have found almost no time to indulge in any of your interests. Do you suffer from depression and would like to get out of its abysmal depths without lifelong antidepresants? You could try and feel free to overcome depression the natural way.
I would really love to guest post on your blog.:;”..
I am often to running a blog and i actually appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and preserve checking for brand new information.
When I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thank you.
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Thanks
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to locate somebody by authentic applying for grants this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this site is a thing that’s needed on the web, somebody after a little bit originality. helpful purpose of bringing a new challenge for the web!
you have got a fantastic blog here! do you want to earn some invite posts on my small blog?
I enjoy your composing design, do carry on creating! I will be back!
I am glad to be a visitor of this arrant website ! , thanks for this rare info ! .
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always helpful to read content from other writers and use something from other web sites.
I adore your wordpress web template, exactly where would you down load it through?
An interesting discussion will be worth comment. I believe that you simply write more on this topic, it will not often be a taboo subject but normally everyone is insufficient to chat on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Thank you, I have recently been seeking for facts about this subject matter for ages and yours is the best I have found so far.
Thank you for the good critique. Me & my friend were just preparing to do some research on this. We grabbed a book from our area library but I think I’ve learned better from this post. I am very glad to see such wonderful information being shared freely out there..
Can I just say thats a relief to seek out someone that actually knows what theyre referring to on the net. You actually realize how to bring a challenge to light and work out it critical. Lots more people ought to check out this and see why side on the story. I cant believe youre no more common simply because you absolutely develop the gift.
I like reading through a post that will make men and women think. Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment.
Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing on your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks
OH! New year’s resolution? You better list it out and do it! Never write the things that you cannot do instead write the things that you can surely do.
It seems you are getting quite a lof of unwanted comments. Maybe you should look into a solution for that. ..
Would love to always get updated great blog ! .
It’s best to take part in a contest for top-of-the-line blogs on the web. I will suggest this website!
Can I just now say such a relief to get somebody who really knows what theyre discussing on-line. You definitely learn how to bring a difficulty to light and produce it critical. The diet really need to read this and appreciate this side from the story. I cant think youre no more well-known simply because you undoubtedly provide the gift.
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Thanks , I’ve just been searching for info approximately this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered till now. But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you sure concerning the supply?
Kawashima, once once more, stored two clear sheets between 26 February 2012 and 3 March 2012 in opposition to Anderlecht and OH Leuven.
Lady Gaga has revealed she will tour again at the start of very next year because she misses her fans.
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Hello can I use some of the insight from this entry if I link back to you?
I am impressed with this website , really I am a big fan .
Substantially, this publish is really the sweetest on this notable theme. I harmonise along with your conclusions and will thirstily seem ahead in your incoming updates. Stating thanks will not likely just be ample, for that phenomenal clarity with your writing. I will right grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Admirable operate and considerably accomplishment with your enterprise dealings! Please excuse my poor English as it’s not my very first tongue.
Some genuinely superb info , Gladiolus I observed this.
Seriously Thank you for your help, this site has been a great relief from the books,
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always helpful to read articles from other writers and practice something from their web sites.
I am usually to blogging and i actually appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and keep checking for brand new information.
There are some fascinating closing dates on this article but I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There’s some validity however I’ll take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want extra! Added to FeedBurner as effectively
I am curious to find out what blog platform you’re using? I’m experiencing some small security problems with my latest website and I would like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any suggestions?
i think that satellite radio would also become popular in the years to come because of its great coverage area~
It’s seldom that I feel compelled to comment on articles, but you’re material is content-worthy. Thank you for being so conscientious about what you write.
Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Appreciate it
Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I want to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances seem to get something done.
I simply had to say thanks again. I am not sure the things that I could possibly have carried out without these ways shared by you on my area. It was a very daunting dilemma in my view, however , encountering your professional manner you treated that made me to weep for contentment. I am thankful for the help and expect you comprehend what an amazing job that you’re putting in educating many people through a blog. Most likely you haven’t met any of us.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
They may deliver services such as reception at airports and bus stations, gastronomy tours, theme events, teamwork and collaborative tasks, decoration for events, graphic designing, occasion signage, entertainment events, gifts for workgroups, car audio and video, and help and solutions for housing.
Generally I do not learn post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to try and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, quite great post.