Anthropometric measures of body fat distribution: A) Mass-based and B) distribution-based measures.
| A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| MASS-BASED MEASURE | DEFINITION | COMMENTS |
| Body mass index11 | Weight in kg divided by the square of the height in m | Does not distinguish between lean and fat tissue mass |
| • Underweight | < 18.5 kg/m2 | Associated with higher mortality |
| • Normal weight • Overweight | 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 25.0–29.9 kg/m2 | Lowest mortality associated with these categories |
| • Obesity class 1 | 30.0–34.9 kg/m2 | No consistent association with increased mortality |
| • Obesity class 2 • Obesity class 3 | 35.0–39.9 kg/m2 ≥ 40.0 kg/m2 | Direct association with increased mortality |
| B) | ||
|---|---|---|
| DISTRIBUTION-BASED MEASURES | VALUES REPRESENTING INCREASED RISK | SURROGATE MEASURES OF CENTRAL OR VISCERAL ADIPOSITY |
| Waist circumference | Females ≥ 80 cm Males ≥ 95 cm | Cut points vary according to ethnicity, sex, and age12 |
| Waist-to-hip ratio | Females ≥ 0.85 Males ≥ 0.95 | Cut points not well established for ethnicity13 |
| Waist-to-height ratio | Increased risk 0.50–0.60 Substantial risk > 0.60 | Cut points the same for ethnicity, sex, and age12 Best predicts visceral fat mass14,15 |