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For many years, body mass index has served as a primary measurement for assessing an individual’s weight status, categorizing them as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. However, recent global research challenges this conventional understanding by revealing that individuals can possess a normal BMI, appear slender in clothing, and yet still fall within the medical definition of obesity.
A comprehensive study published in JAMA Network Open analyzed health data collected from over 471,000 adults across 91 countries, drawing on findings from the World Health Organization survey. This extensive research unveiled significant insights into the relationship between body composition and health outcomes.
The research team focused specifically on individuals whose BMI fell within the normal range of 18.5 to 24.9 but who had accumulated excess fat around their midsection, as indicated by waist circumference measurements.
The findings were striking: approximately one in five individuals with a normal BMI exhibited signs of abdominal obesity, characterized by a larger waistline often associated with serious health risks.
Such
