A New Way to Measure Body Fat That Helps Spot Arthritis Risk
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Introduction
We often hear that being overweight can harm our joints. But it turns out, how and where fat is stored in the body may matter even more than the number on the scale. A new measure called the Body Roundness Index (BRI) is showing promise in predicting the risk of joint diseases like osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), offering better insight than the commonly used Body Mass Index (BMI).
What Is the Body Roundness Index (BRI)?
BRI is a number calculated using your waist size and height. Unlike BMI, which only compares your weight to your height, BRI gives a better picture of how much visceral fat (deep belly fat) you have. This type of fat surrounds internal organs and is linked to inflammation, which can damage joints and other parts of the body.
Researchers have started using BRI to understand the connection between fat and joint diseases more clearly—and the results are eye-opening.
How BRI Connects to Joint Health
A recent analysis of health data from over 17,000 U.S. adults found that people with higher BRI scores were more likely to have osteoarthritis, even after adjusting for age, gender, and other factors. Those in the highest BRI group had more than twice the risk of OA compared to those in the lowest group.
For rheumatoid arthritis, the link was also seen—but it was less clear after adjusting for other health factors. This suggests that while BRI is a strong indicator for OA, RA may involve more complex immune-related triggers in addition to body fat.
Why Visceral Fat Matters
Excess visceral fat can do more than put pressure on joints. It also releases inflammatory substances that damage cartilage and trigger joint pain. These effects are especially harmful in weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. That’s why people with more belly fat, even if they have a normal BMI, may still be at higher risk for joint problems.
BRI vs BMI: Which Is Better?
The study also compared how well BRI and BMI predicted arthritis risk. BRI was clearly more accurate, especially for osteoarthritis. This is because BMI doesn’t show where fat is stored or distinguish between muscle and fat. A muscular person might have a high BMI but low body fat. In contrast, BRI captures fat distribution better, giving a clearer picture of health risks.
What You Can Do
If you're concerned about joint health, it's worth paying attention to your waist size—not just your weight. Reducing belly fat through a combination of healthy eating, regular movement, and strength training can lower inflammation and ease joint strain.
Doctors and health professionals may start using BRI more often to identify people at higher risk for joint issues. It’s a simple step that could lead to early prevention and better care.
Conclusion
Joint problems don’t just come from aging—they’re often linked to how fat is stored in your body. The Body Roundness Index is a helpful new tool that goes beyond BMI to better predict who’s at risk. Keeping an eye on your waistline might just help protect your joints for the long run.