For many years, the body mass index (BMI) was the most widely used indicator for assessing an individual's weight and health. But experts have been pointing out its shortcomings for some time. Although it was designed as an easy way to determine overweight and obesity, BMI does not take into account many factors that affect health, such as muscle mass, age, gender and body shape. That is why there is more and more talk about an alternative - the Body Curvature Index (ITZ), which is supposed to be a more accurate indicator of health risks.
The body mass index is based on a simple formula that uses the relationship between an individual's weight and height to categorize people into different groups - from undernourished to overweight. However, this formula does not distinguish between muscle mass and fat. Thus, very muscular people, such as former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, can be considered overweight according to BMI, even though their body composition is completely healthy.
Experts have repeatedly pointed out the shortcomings of BMI. For example, the American Medical Association pointed out that BMI does not take into account ethnic, age and gender diversity, which means that it is not a suitable indicator for different population groups. It is particularly problematic that it does not take into account the distribution of fat in the body, since fat around the abdomen is associated with a greater risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease (source: profimedia.com).
Body Curvature Index - a more accurate measure of health
Because BMI does not provide a sufficiently accurate picture of health status, researchers developed the Body Curvature Index (ITZ), which measures the ratio of height to waist circumference, but not body weight. This method allows a better assessment of the amount of abdominal fat, which is a key factor in the risk of many chronic diseases.
The ITZ is calculated using a formula that is quite simple, and scores range from 1 to 15, with most people scoring between 1 and 10. Higher ITZ values indicate a more rounded body and a higher risk of health problems such as heart disease , diabetes and cancer. The study, conducted on a sample of 33,000 Americans between 1999 and 2018, found that people with an ITZ above 6.9 had a higher risk of mortality – as much as 50 % higher compared to those with an ITZ between 4.5 and 5.5 .
Formula for Body Curvature Index (ITZ) is as follows:
ITZ=waist circumference(vcm)(height(vm))1.5−18ITZ = \frac{{waist circumference (in cm)}}{{(height (vm))^{1.5}}} – 18
This formula takes into account waist circumference in centimeters and height in meters and provides better insight into the distribution of fat, especially abdominal fat, which is closely related to the risks of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.
What does the future hold?
The BMI is becoming more and more recognized as a reliable indicator of health, especially when it comes to the risks associated with the accumulation of fat around the abdomen. While BMI relies on a simple formula that is often misleading because it does not take into account the distribution of body fat and muscle mass, ITZ is more accurate and more focused on measuring factors that actually affect health.
Nevertheless, the BMI debate will not end so quickly. Many experts believe that other indicators such as blood tests, blood pressure and body composition should be taken into account for a comprehensive assessment of an individual's health. BMI can be a good initial indicator, but for an accurate diagnosis and risk assessment, it is essential to consider a wider range of factors.
Conclusion
The Body Curvature Index is a new alternative that promises to better assess risks for many diseases. While BMI remains in use as a simple method to quickly assess body weight, it is becoming increasingly clear that it does not provide a sufficiently accurate picture of an individual's health. With new knowledge and alternatives like ITZ, we are one step closer to a better understanding of what it really means to be healthy
