A recent Italian study has shed light on a common misconception among middle-aged individuals regarding their weight status.
The study, conducted by researchers at Tor Vergata University in Rome, suggests that millions of people may mistakenly believe they are not overweight due to traditional methods of weight assessment.
Instead of solely relying on weight in relation to height, the study focused on body fat percentage to provide a more accurate picture of obesity prevalence.
According to the researchers, using this alternative method could help identify individuals who are at risk of obesity-related health issues more effectively.
As people age, changes occur in their body composition, with a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in fat accumulation around the waist area, often without a noticeable change in overall weight.
This poses a challenge in accurately detecting obesity using conventional methods.
The most commonly used method to classify weight status is the body mass index (BMI), which divides an individual’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.
While BMI is a quick and widely accepted tool supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), it does not differentiate between fat, muscle, and bone.
The Italian study, which involved 4,800 adults aged 40-80, found significant disparities between BMI classifications and body fat percentage measurements.
While only 38% of men and 41% of women had a BMI over 30, indicating obesity, when their body fat percentage was assessed, a much higher proportion, 71% of men and 64% of women, were classified as obese.
Co-author of the study, Prof. Antonino De Lorenzo, emphasized the importance of adopting alternative methods to assess obesity accurately.
He warned that relying solely on BMI could result in overlooking middle-aged and elderly individuals who are at risk of obesity-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
The findings of this study underscore the need for a more comprehensive approach to obesity assessment, particularly among aging populations.
By incorporating body fat percentage measurements alongside traditional BMI assessments, healthcare professionals can better identify individuals at risk and tailor interventions to prevent and manage obesity-related health conditions.
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