A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has found that higher body roundness index (BRI) levels over time are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adults over 45. The research, which analyzed data from nearly 10,000 participants in China over a 6-year period, suggests that BRI could be a valuable predictor of cardiovascular risk.
The study found that compared to those with low-stable BRI levels, participants in the moderate-stable BRI group had a 61% higher risk of cardiovascular disease, while those in the high-stable BRI group had a 163% higher risk. These increased risks remained significant even after accounting for demographic factors, medical history, and other health measures.
BRI is a measure that combines waist circumference and height to reflect abdominal and visceral fat. Unlike body mass index (BMI), which only considers weight in relation to height, BRI is believed to better represent the proportion of body fat and visceral fat. This study is the first large-scale research to evaluate BRI trajectories over time and their association with cardiovascular disease incidence in middle-aged and older Chinese adults.
The findings have important implications for public health and clinical practice. As cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with nearly 20 million deaths annually, identifying effective predictors of risk is crucial. The study suggests that monitoring BRI over time could help healthcare professionals better assess and manage cardiovascular disease risk in patients.
While the study focused on adults in China, its findings may have broader implications for understanding obesity-related cardiovascular risk globally. However, the researchers note that further studies are needed to confirm these results and explore their applicability to diverse populations.
As obesity rates continue to rise worldwide, tools like BRI could become increasingly important in predicting and preventing cardiovascular disease. This research underscores the complex relationship between body composition, obesity, and heart health, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches to cardiovascular risk assessment and management.
