Body mass index as an indicator of obesity

Abstract

Undernutrition and hunger have always formed the foundation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) mandate. Working in collaboration with the International Dietary Energy Consultative Group (IDECG), FAO began to examine both appropriate cut-off points of the body mass index (BMI) at the lower end of the spectrum and the functional consequences of low BMI (<16.0 = Category III Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED); 16.0 -16.9 = Category II CED; 17.0 -18.4 = Category I CED). Over the past decade FAO has recognized the growing obesity epidemic occurring not only in the developed world but also among all income and socioeconomic groups of the developing world. In response, FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) have collaborated together in joint initiatives. Following the WHO 1998 Obesity Consultation on Preventing and Managing the Global Epidemic, a number of regions examined their individual situation regarding obesity. In looking at the BMI risk-based cut-off points, there appeared to be need for a tailoring of the cut-off points for Asia. The publication The Asia-Pacific Perspective: Redefining Obesity and its Treatment (2000) proposed areaspecific cut points. While such efforts to individualize reference values to a region or situation are attractive and even commendable, there is always the danger of creating confusion particularly if later these figures are changed. It is very important that before values are promulgated, a thorough review is conducted and full confidence can be placed on them.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the Japanese-Brazilian community of Mombuca, Guatapará, SP

“…Table 1 also shows the mean and standard deviations of weight, height, BMI and WC, in addition to fasting venous plasma glycemia (VPG-f) and VPG in the 2 nd hour after glucose overload (VPG-2 nd h). Mean BMI values for both the general population and the population stratified by sex were higher than the cut-off point (≥ 23 kg/m 2 ) suggested for overweight/obesity for the Asian population (14). Mean weight, height, and WC values were significantly higher for men than for women.…”

“…Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing the weight in kg by height in square meters (kg/m 2 ). According to the classification proposed by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) for the Asian population, a BMI of 23 to 24.9 kg/m 2 was considered to indicate overweight and a BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m 2 was considered to indicate obesity (14). After a fast of at least 10 hours, 5 mL of venous blood was collected from each subject in a tube containing sodium fluoride for the determination of glycemia by the enzymatic (hexokinase) method using ultraviolet photometry with a Cobas Mira Plus instrument and glucose HK kits.…”

Nutritional Profile and Socio-Economic Status of Saharia, a Primitive Tribe of India

“…The impact of low socio-economic status is clearly evident in the prevalence of CED among males (48.8%) and females (37.2%). As per WHO [17], a CED of 40% or more exhibits a critical public health problem, and that between 20-39% exhibits a serious public health situation. A higher prevalence of CED as well as overweight among males in com- parison to their counterpart females, reflects the higher sensitivity in terms BMI to their environment.…”

“…Nutritional status was evaluated using internationally accepted World Health Organization BMI guidelines [16] Undernutrition and hunger has always formed mandate of FAO [17]. World Health Organization's [16] classification of the public health problem of low BMI, based on adult populations worldwide was followed.…”

Assessment of Cardiac Cost of Two Age Groups of Brick Carriers During Summer in Different Unorganized Brick making Sector in West Bengal, India

“…From those data, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) were calculated with Weisell's (2002) and Banerjee and Sen's (1955) methods, respectively.…”