The normal range of body mass index with high body fat percentage among male residents of Lucknow city in north India

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Several studies have raised the suspicion that the body mass index (BMI) cut-off for overweight as defined by the WHO may not adequately reflect the actual overweight status. The present study looked at the relationship between BMI and body fat per cent (BF %) / health risks (hypertension and type 2 diabetes) in male residents of Lucknow city, north India to evaluate the validity of BMI cut-off points for overweight. METHODS: One thousand one hundred and eleven male volunteer subjects (18-69 yr) who participated in different programmes organized by the Institute during 2005 to 2008 were included in the study. BF% was measured using commercially available digital weight scale incorporating bioelectrical impedance (BI) analyzer. The proposed cut-off for BMI based on BF % was calculated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Forty four per cent subjects showed higher BF % (>25%) with BMI range (24-24.99 kg/m(2)). Sensitivity and specificity at BMI cut-off at 24.5 kg/m(3) were 83.2 and 77.5, respectively. Sensitivity at BMI cut-off >25 kg/m(2) was reduced by 5 per cent and specificity increased by 4.6 per cent when compared to 24.5 cut-off. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The study subjects showed higher body fat percentage and risk factors like hypertension and type 2 diabetes at normal BMI range proposed by the WHO. The cut-off for BMI was proposed to be 24.5 kg/m(2) for our study population. If overweight is regarded as an excess of body fat and not as an excess of weight (increased BMI), the cut-off points for overweight based on BMI would need to be lowered. However, the confidence of estimate of the BMI cut-off in the present study may be considered with the limitations of BI analysis studies.