Simple waist measurement rivals complex tests in spotting obesity risks

In a new investigation, Rutgers Health scientists examined health survey data from 1,900 adults aged 20 to 59 to compare obesity-screening techniques. They found that waist circumference, whether used by itself or together with BMI, matched the accuracy of a recently proposed model that incorporates several body measurements. The research, appearing in JAMA Network Open, argues that the simplicity of a waist measurement makes it practical for routine medical use.

The authors note that BMI alone failed to flag a substantial number of people with obesity-level body fat, reinforcing concerns about relying solely on weight-based indices. By capturing where fat accumulates, waist size offers additional insight into risks for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. The study’s co-authors include Aayush Visaria and colleagues from Rutgers University and its affiliated health centers.