How Body Roundness Index Helps Spot Diabetes Early
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Introduction
Diabetes is becoming a major health problem around the world. One of the biggest risks for developing type 2 diabetes is being overweight, especially when fat builds up around the belly. Recently, researchers have started using a new measurement called the Body Roundness Index (BRI) to better understand body fat and its link to diabetes. A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports shows how BRI can predict the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
What Is Body Roundness Index (BRI)?
BRI is a new way to measure body shape using waist size and height. Unlike body mass index (BMI), which only looks at weight and height, BRI focuses on how round a person's body is. A rounder body usually means more belly fat, which is dangerous for health. Scientists believe BRI gives a better idea of how much fat is stored around the organs inside the belly, also known as visceral fat.
The Study at a Glance
The study was based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Researchers followed over 10,000 adults aged 45 and older between 2011 and 2020. They measured participants' BRI several times over the years and tracked who developed type 2 diabetes.
During an average follow-up of 7.7 years, around 1,650 people developed type 2 diabetes. The scientists found that higher BRI scores were clearly linked to a greater risk of getting diabetes. People with the highest BRI scores were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes compared to those with the lowest scores.
Key Findings
1. Higher BRI Means Higher Diabetes Risk
For every small increase in BRI, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes went up by about 27%. The relationship between BRI and diabetes was not simple – it followed a curve. At a BRI score of around 4, the risk started to rise much faster.
2. BRI Is Better Than BMI
Traditional measurements like BMI do not always show if someone has dangerous belly fat. This study suggests that BRI might be a better tool for doctors to find people at risk early, especially in middle-aged and older adults.
3. Risk Is the Same Across Groups
The link between BRI and diabetes risk was the same for men and women, for younger and older adults, and for people with different lifestyle habits. This means BRI could be a reliable measure for everyone.
Why This Matters
Many people with normal body weight still have too much belly fat, putting them at risk for diabetes. Since BRI can detect this hidden fat better than BMI, it could help in finding high-risk people early. Early detection means doctors can suggest lifestyle changes like better diet and exercise before diabetes develops.
Also, measuring BRI is simple and cheap—it only requires a tape measure and a height measurement. This makes it a great tool for health programs, especially in places where expensive medical tests are hard to access.
Conclusion
This study shows that BRI is a strong predictor of type 2 diabetes risk in middle-aged and older adults. It could help doctors and health workers find people who need help earlier, before serious health problems begin. As the number of diabetes cases continues to rise, simple and effective tools like BRI could make a real difference in public health.