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Overweight and obesity thresholds may be misleading for Asian populations (p 157)
January 07, 2004Internationally recognised body-mass index (BMI) cut-off points for overweight and obesity may not be appropriate for some Asian populations, conclude authors of an article in this week's issue of THE LANCET.
A WHO expert consultation, chaired by Professor Shiriki Kumanyika from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, USA, discussed the merits of BMI as an indicator of health outcomes across different ethnic populations. The increased body-fat proportions of some Asian populations suggest that a lower BMI (22-25 kg/m2) may be a more appropriate upper cut-off point; values above this adjusted threshold would indicate increased risk of adverse health outcomes.
The consultation concluded that the proportion of Asian people with a high risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is substantial at BMIs lower than the existing WHO cut-off point for overweight ( *25 kg/m2 ). However, the authors discuss how available data do not necessarily indicate a clear BMI cut-off point for all Asians for overweight or obesity. The cut-off point for observed risk varies from 22 kg/m2 to 25 kg/m2 in different Asian populations; for high risk it varies from 26 kg/m2 to 31 kg/m2. No attempt was made, therefore, to redefine cut-off points for each population separately.
The consultation also agreed that the WHO BMI cut-off points - * 25 kg/m2 (overweight), 25-29.9 kg/m2 (pre-obese), * 30 kg/m2 (obesity), 30- 34.9 kg/m2 (obese class I), 35-39.9 kg/m2 (obese class II), * 40 kg/m2 (obese class III) - should be retained as international classifications. However, the consultation identified potential intermediate public-health action points (23.0, 27.5, 32.5, and 37.5 kg/m2) along the continuum of BMI, and proposed methods by which countries could make decisions about the definitions of increased risk for their population.
Lancet
The consultation also agreed that the WHO BMI cut-off points - * 25 kg/m2 (overweight), 25-29.9 kg/m2 (pre-obese), * 30 kg/m2 (obesity), 30- 34.9 kg/m2 (obese class I), 35-39.9 kg/m2 (obese class II), * 40 kg/m2 (obese class III) - should be retained as international classifications. However, the consultation identified potential intermediate public-health action points (23.0, 27.5, 32.5, and 37.5 kg/m2) along the continuum of BMI, and proposed methods by which countries could make decisions about the definitions of increased risk for their population.
Lancet
Obesity Current Events and Obesity News RSSDaycare may double TV time for young children, study finds
In a new study, the amount of television viewed by many young children in child care settings doubles the previous estimates of early childhood screen time, with those in home-based settings watching significantly more on average than those in center-based daycares.
Patient's weight not linked to success of fibroid surgery
Obese patients are no more likely to have post-operative complications than those of average weight when undergoing robotic surgery to remove uterine fibroids, according to a study at Henry Ford Hospital.
Scripps research scientists find new link between insulin and core body temperature
A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered a direct link between insulin-a hormone long associated with metabolism and metabolic disorders such as diabetes-and core body temperature.
Night Beat, Overtime and a Disrupted Sleep Pattern Can Harm Officers' Health
A police officer who works the night shift, typically from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., already is at a disadvantage when it comes to getting a good "night's" sleep.
Fat collections linked to decreased heart function
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that fat collection in different body locations, such as around the heart and the aorta and within the liver, are associated with certain decreased heart functions.
Teens' mental health affects how long they stay in school, new study shows
Queen's University researcher Steven Lehrer has won a prestigious international award in recognition of his contributions to health economics.
Playing sport up to the end of pregnancy is healthy for the baby and the mother
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Harvard nutrition expert offers family physician group no-cost alternative to funding from Coca-Cola
Leading Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) nutrition and health researcher Walter Willett, M.D., Dr. P.H., has written a letter to the President-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) offering an alternative to the organization's decision, announced in October, to accept a six-figure grant from the Coca-Cola Company to develop web content on beverages and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
New paper describes connections between Circadian and metabolic systems
A paper by University of Notre Dame biologist Giles Duffield and a team of researchers offers new insights into a gene that plays a key role in modulating the body's Circadian system and may also simultaneously modulate its metabolic system.
Aileron collaborates study in Nature: Stapled peptides inhibit Notch1 transcription factor
This research validates the potential for Stapled Peptides to modulate key intracellular biological targets, such as transcription factors, that have not been addressable with current small molecule or biologic drug modalities.
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