It could be a better heart risk predictor.
A recent study suggests that the Body Roundness Index (BRI) could be a more reliable indicator of how excess weight impacts heart health compared to the widely used Body Mass Index (BMI). According to the research, individuals who developed a high BRI over a six-year period were found to have a 163% greater risk of heart disease. Even those with a moderate BRI experienced a 61% increased risk of cardiovascular issues.
Dr. Yun Qian, a senior investigator from Nanjing Medical University’s Wuxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the study’s findings suggest that stable moderate-to-high BRI levels over time may help predict cardiovascular disease. BRI, unlike BMI, assesses a person’s waist circumference in relation to their height, providing a better measure of excess abdominal fat, which is closely linked to heart health risks.
BMI, which only compares weight to height, has been criticized for inaccurately representing obesity in some individuals, especially athletes with high muscle mass. In contrast, BRI reflects not only belly fat but also visceral fat, which surrounds vital organs and is considered more harmful in relation to weight-related health problems.
Researchers tracked the BRI of nearly 10,000 adults in China, aged 45 and older, during the 2010s. Their findings revealed that increasing BRI was significantly associated with higher risks of heart disease, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions, even after accounting for factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
The study further highlights that obesity can trigger inflammation and other bodily mechanisms that negatively impact heart function, reinforcing the importance of considering BRI as a potential tool for predicting heart disease.
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