Numbers can be so confusing when it comes to understanding exactly where we should be with them, what they represent and how the bottom line influences our overall wellness. So, to add to the confusion a newer measuring stick has been added to the pot called “ABSI” (aka A Body Shape Index).
ABSI vs BMI
Developed by researchers at The City College of new York, ABSI became a better indicator used to determine (obviously) nonpregnant adult’s mortality rates after finding that BMI numbers were less reliable. ABSI focuses on the combined effect of your height, waist and weight to help determine if your body shape is in proportion to a “healthy” number.
The concept is primarily focused on using the body’s “roundness” versus “bigness” which by theory should lead to a better overall view of what a person’s health condition might be and a more accurate tool than BMI helping to establish premature death.
According to recent clinical studies performed on 14,100 people, our “BMI” (aka Body Mass Index) isn’t a complete picture of our current health condition when it comes to using one device as a measuring stick to determine our health risks. Click on the following link to learn more (http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120720/11001/obesity-overweight-absi-bmi-weight-circumference.htm)
ABSI uses a extremely basic method of your waist-to-height ratio versus your weight-to-height ratio (used to determine our BMI). Your ABSI is essentially your waist measurement, divided by your height, equaling your final “number”. Anything above 0.5 is considered “elevated”.
You can also use an online calculator that will do the math for you (http://www-ce.ccny.cuny.edu/nir/sw/absi-calculator.html). However, the online calculator uses a slightly different system of numbers and percentages to determine the result, but both have a “threshold” number that helps you know your future health risk. Also, remember this is a relatively new methodology for evaluating health and has not been fully implemented by all medical professionals. Seek your doctor’s advice before trying to determine what your “number” should be and if your health is at risk.
Waist-to-Height Ratio versus BMI
So what’s all the fuss about and why make a change from an already established system like BMI? According to Obesity Review, it appears our waist to height versus my weight to height is much more powerful than we realize (http:/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22106927).
A waist-to-height ratio is now considered a more accurate indicator than just using our BMI (formulated using our weight and height) and one we need to pay attention to when reviewing our overall health condition.
Waist-to-height ratio is measured by dividing your waist circumference in inches by your height in inches. Click on the following link to learn how to measure your waist line correctly, which is considered to be at the top of your hip bone (http://www.myhealthywaist.org/evaluating-cmr/clinical-tools/waist-circumference-measurement-guidelines/index.html). This step by step video at the provided link will show you how to measure, as well. You will need a measuring tape and mirror. When measuring, you need to wear loose-fitting fitting clothing that can be moved away from the area you’re measuring. If you are using the “manual” method, (versus the online ABSI calculator) a ratio over 0.5 is considered “elevated” and may be cause for concern.
For example, a man 5’6” with a 38” waist line has an ABSI waist-to-height ratio of .57. For this man to reach a healthier range of .5 or below, he would need to lose about 5” off his waist line. A 5’2” woman with a 33” waist has an ABSI of .53. If this woman lost, just 2” from her waist, she would be in the healthy ABSI range of .5. The goal may not sound too daunting, but the problem most of us face is we “let-it-go” because it doesn’t appear to be that big of a deal when we’re just a few inches from being healthy. Then, before we realize it, we’re way past the two inches, getting older, less active and losing our growth hormone levels as we age, causing us to put on those few extra inches in what seems like no time at all!
Waist-to-Hip Ratio
The “waist-to-hip” method divides our waist by our hip measurement (in inches) giving us a “total” number. The goal for a female would be a number below 0.8 and for a male 1.0. Anything above those numbers is a “red flag” for heart disease. Before you pull out the measuring tape, visit this link to make sure you are measuring your hips (and your waist) in the right place (http://weightloss.about.com/od/glossary/g/whr.htm).
Each of the above methods are for the purpose of understanding your current physical health, how it can affect your life and longevity.
If you find that your numbers seem high, talk to your doctor and ask to be referred to a nutritionist or clinical dietician to learn exactly how to get your “numbers” back in shape! Remember: Doctors practice medicine. If you're being prescribed pills, surgeries and a non-nutritionally based approach you will not learn how to address the real problem or get to the root of the problem.
If you are over eating, eating “poorly”, (eating fast food, highly processed food, etc.) underactive and emotionally under stress you will be putting your long term health and life at risk. Nutritionists and Clinical Dieticians are trained to teach you how to eat and live a healthier lifestyle.
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