Bypassing BMI to build a better health profile for women

Nutrition experts at Massey University are bypassing the more traditional Body Mass Index (BMI) to build a better health profile based on body fat and the risk of chronic disease.

The study, focusing on Maori, Pasifika and New Zealand European/Pakeha women of all sizes is currently underway and more participants are now urgently needed to take part.

Principal investigator for the study Associate Professor Rozanne Kruger – from the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health (IFNHH) – says it’s a chance for women to get a benchmark of their current health, and help build more accurate profiles for future health guidance.

Associate Professor Kruger explains “we urgently need more Maori and Pasifika women of all sizes, and real-sized - size 16 plus - New Zealand European/Pakeha women to step up and maybe help bust some myths about body size and fat.

“This is a chance to bypass BMI and get some real data together on what a ‘healthy’ woman looks like, and work out who is more at risk from chronic diseases like diabetes.”

The study comes at a time when obesity rates in New Zealand have increased over the past 15 years from 19% in 1997 to 31% in 2012/13. According to the latest New Zealand Health Survey data, about 1.2 million New Zealand adults are now obese.

Associate Professor Kruger adds “it is well known that one obesity prevention message for a whole population has little impact on the obesity rates – one size does not fit all.

“By focusing on building profiles for body composition groups we will be able to create a strong foundation for future evidence-based practice guidelines.

“Our previous research has shown that while some women appear to be lean, they are actually carrying hidden fat in their bodies which may put them at risk for developing chronic diseases.”

The EXPLORE (EXamining the Predictors Linking Obesity-Related Elements) study, funded by the Netherlands-based Nutricia Research Foundation and New Zealand Lottery Health Research, has been underway since October 2013 and profiles almost 700 women of Maori, Pasifika and New Zealand European/Pakeha ethnicity.

The study investigates how different body fat profiles are related to the risk of developing chronic disease.

Associate Professor Kruger concludes “we would like to find out what role diet, taste and physical activity patterns play in determining body fat profiles to assist in compiling preventive approaches for each group.

“We are also keen to investigate whether the recently discovered microRNA molecules are sensitive to diet and exercise, and if these molecules can be used as potential biomarkers for assessing metabolic disease risk.

This new research follows on from a 2009 pilot study which investigated the variations of body fat percentage and body weight against the benchmark Body Mass Index.

In the pilot study it was revealed that, on average, in a normal healthy population of New Zealand European/Pakeha women aged 18-44 years, 21.4% had a normal BMI of 22.6 kg/m2 and a high body fat percentage of 33.7 , and a higher sedentary lifestyle, indicating increased metabolic risk.

For more information go to www.massey.ac.nz/explore

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