COMPARISON OF NEW OBESITY INDICES AS METABOLIC DISORDERS RISK

Background and Aim: The risk of metabolic disorders associated with obesity appears to be a global problem. Anthropometric measurements of obesity are used to evaluate and predict these disorders. Body Adiposity Index (BAI) and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) are recently suggested as alternatives for Body Mass Index (BMI), to improve screening ability of obesity indices. However perception and choosing the best index as a risk factor is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Body BMI, BAI and ABSI.Methods: This cross-sectional study with 150 women (aged 20 to 60 years) was performed. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, waist circumferences and hip circumferences were measured using standard protocols and BMI, BAI, and ABSI were calculated. The pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate relationships between indices.Results: Based on BMI, 32% of the subjects were normal weight, 40% were overweight and 28% were obese. Significant positive correlation was found between BMI and BAI(r= 0.61; P=0.03), while their correlation with ABSI were not significant (P> 0.05).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that BAI had no advantage over BMI in categorizing individuals for obesity; however it can be used instead of BMI in cases where weight is not available. ABSI may indicate central obesity and need to be further investigated.

Keywords:

obesity , Body Mass Index , A Body Shape Index , Body Adiposity index , metabolic disorders