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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging

Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging

Published on: June 7, 2024

Body mass index and weight distribution.

C D R Pengelly¹, J Morris

¹University Hospital of South Manchester.

Scottish Medical Journal

|September 4, 2009

Summary

Body Mass Index (BMI), waist (W), and waist-hip ratio (W/H) are used to assess health risks. This study found waist measurement best predicts risk in men, while hip measurement is better for women, suggesting all three should be recorded for life assurance assessments.

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Public Health
Anthropometry

Background:

Overweight and obesity, defined by Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25 and ≥ 30 respectively, are linked to long-term health impairments.
Waist (W) and waist-hip ratio (W/H) are alternative anthropometric measures for health risk assessment, with ongoing debate regarding their efficacy compared to BMI.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides specific waist circumference thresholds for increased health risks in Caucasian men and women.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the effectiveness of Body Mass Index (BMI), waist (W) measurement, and waist-hip ratio (W/H) as indicators of health risk in subjects undergoing life assurance examinations.
To determine which anthropometric measure (BMI, W, or W/H) is the most significant predictor of health risk in men and women.

Main Methods:

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Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging

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Review of data from 816 consecutive subjects undergoing life assurance examinations, including recorded measurements of BMI, W, and W/H.
Statistical analysis to compare the predictive value of BMI, W, and W/H for health risks.
Analysis stratified by sex to identify sex-specific differences in the efficacy of these measurements.

Main Results:

Waist (W) measurement was identified as the best indicator of health risk in men (634 cases).
Hip (H) measurement appeared to be a better indicator of risk in the smaller cohort of women (182 cases).
The study suggests that while BMI is commonly used, W and W/H provide valuable additional information for risk assessment.

Conclusions:

The study supports the use of waist (W) measurement as the primary indicator of health risk in men for life assurance purposes.
For women, hip (H) measurement may be a more effective indicator of health risk than waist measurement alone.
It is recommended that life assurance companies routinely record BMI, W, and W/H to enable more accurate long-term risk assessment and conclusions.