BMI vs. BAI

To use BMI or not to use BMI, that is the question!

For hundreds of years, people have been using a tool called, Body Mass Index (BMI) to measure body fat in adults.  However, it has known limitations as a useful measurement of accuracy.

A new tool could soon be replacing the traditional BMI to measure healthy body size. A recent study in Obesity (Obesity 19, 1083-1089, May 2011) found that using Body Adiposity Index (BAI) was a more precise measurement than BMI.

BAI is calculated by using height and hip circumference vs. BMI which is calculated by dividing weight by height. The problem with BMI, is that it does not distinguish between a large body size due to muscle mass or due to obesity. For years many professional athletes have had “unhealthy” BMIs, however, they are quite healthy and in top physical condition.

Another reason to use BAI, by measuring hip circumference and height, the new Body Adiposity Index (BAI) can be used to reflect percentage of body fat for adult men and women of differing ethnicities, without numerical correction or assessment of weight. BMI is measured differently for men and women. And the BAI estimates the percentage of adipose (or fat) directly. 

So, the next time you are at the doctor's office, as your healthcare provider to measure yoru BAI. This may be a better tool in helping us combat the growing obesity epidemic in the USA and the world over!