Waist-to-Hip Ratio strongest predictor of mortality than BMI, finds study

A recent study conducted on a large cohort of British individuals has revealed that the Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a stronger and more consistent predictor of mortality compared to the Body Mass Index (BMI). The research emphasizes the importance of considering adiposity distribution, particularly WHR, in clinical assessments and recommendations.

The study, involving 387,672 participants of British White ancestry, utilized an observational approach alongside Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. The participants were divided into a discovery cohort and a validation cohort, with the latter, used for analyses. The research aimed to evaluate the link between these different adiposity measures and all-cause as well as cause-specific mortality, including cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), respiratory disease, and other causes.

The findings revealed that the association between measured BMI and FMI with all-cause mortality followed a J-shaped curve. In contrast, WHR's association with all-cause mortality was linear, indicating a strong connection. Genetically determined WHR had an even more potent association with all-cause mortality compared to BMI. This association was particularly pronounced in male participants.

Interestingly, the genetically determined WHR-all-cause mortality link remained consistent across various BMI levels. This suggests that WHR might be a more reliable predictor of mortality than traditional BMI measures. The results emphasize the importance of considering adiposity distribution rather than mass alone in clinical recommendations.

Reference: Khan I, Chong M, Le A, et al. Surrogate Adiposity Markers and Mortality. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2334836. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.34836