Assessment of body mass index versus body fat percentage in detecting obesity and related comorbidity

ABSTRACT

Obesity is an increasingly metabolic disorder worldwide. Therefore, obesity comorbidities and risk factors are increasing. To assess the relationship between body mass index [BMI] and body fat percentage [BF%] in relation to metabolic risk factors [hypertension, type 2 diabetesmellitus [DM-II] and dyslipidemia]. A Cross-Sectional Study. King Fahd University Hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Seven hundred eleven individuals were assessed during 2-day campaign; age ranged from 18 to 60 years; 355 [49.9%] were males. The following data were documented history of DM-II, hypertension and/or dyslipidemia. Measurements included body mass index [BMI], brachial blood pressure, blood glucose and BF%. The overall prevalence of obesity according to BMI [>30 kg/m2] was 344 [48%] compared to 466 [66.5%] according to BF% [>32% in females and >25% in males]. The rate of missed diagnosis of BMI for obesity is higher than BF%. When the BMI cut-off point was lowered to 27.5, the overall prevalence of obesity became 459 [64.6%], which is close to BF% result. The sensitivity and specificity of BMI 30 and BMI 27.5 in detecting the risk of DM-II, hypertension and dyslipidemia were measured. The sensitivity of BMI 27.5 was higher than that of BMI 30 which gives us a better screening tool for the co-morbidities. The choice of BF% reference is good for assessment of obesity prevalence compared to the BMI