Fat mass index the real indicator for heart diseases for diabetes patients

Fat mass index not the Body mass index, the real indicator for heart diseases for diabetes patients

In a recent research article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, it was found that fat mass is a more significant threat to heart diseases. The research analyzed data from the Accord study, including 10,251 adults. It was a randomized controlled trial researching diabetes and CVD. The south-central university in Changsha, China, found that the protective effect of lean body mass was observed in participants with a lean BMI of less than 16.7 kg/m2. In other words, the BMI calculation is not a effective indicator for heart diseases anymore.  FMI or the Fat Mass Index is the real indicator for people suffering from type 2 diabetes.

What is Body Mass Index?

BMI or the body mass index for long has been considered as the major indicator for CVD or cardiovascular diseases. BMI calculated by weight in kilograms and divided by height in meters squared. Or if you are 180 centimeters or 6 feet or 1.8 meters in height and bodyweight of 85 kilograms, your BMI is calculated by dividing 85 by (1.8 x 1.8) 3.24 which is equal to 26.24. So you come under the overweight category BMI of 25 – 29.9.  You are only normal between 18.5 to 24.9, and below 18.5 you are underweight, and above 29.9 you are obese. Obesity is a life killer for millions around the world now with more chances of many diseases, including diabetes and CVD.

What is Fat Mass Index?

FMI or the fat mass index is the total amount of fat in your body. It is also calculated simply by the kilograms of fat in your body divided by meters squared. For a person with 10 kilograms of fat weight and with a height of 1.8 meters, it is calculated as ten divided by (1.8 x 1.8) 3.24 which is 3.08. The fat mass can be found by DEXA scan or Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. It is the latest and best method to calculate fat in the body than the older methods like BIA or bioimpedance analysis, or skinfold calipers or popularly known as skin pinch tests. The following tables will help you to know the right FMI.

What is the difference between Body mass index and Fat mass index?

• BMI does not take into account body composition and could indicate a muscular man like a bodybuilder to be obese
• FMI supersede BMI as it is not influenced by fat-free mass but could be influenced by height
• BMI like FMI is not anymore a standalone option to predict heart attacks and should corroborate with other health biomarkers like the following among others

• Body composition
• Central obesity measures
• Blood sugars
• Blood lipids
• Blood pressure

The recent research published now and being the hot topic of FMI over BMI could save a lot of lives. But BMI or FMI, living a healthy lifestyle, proper diet, sound sleep, exercise, and living without stress could save us from sufferings due any kind of disease.