Superiority of the body roundness index over BMI in linking central adiposity with vitamin D3: A cross-sectional study in Iraqi adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v15i11.1798Abstract
Background: Body mass index is a poor measure of central adiposity. The Body Roundness Index may be a better measure, although data for Middle Eastern adults are limited.
Objectives: To investigate the association of animal-fat consumption with adiposity indices as well as vitamin D3, and compare BRI with BMI as a marker of body fat in Iraqi adults.
Methods: We used dietary questionnaires, anthropometry, and bioelectrical impedance to estimate visceral fat area and serum vitamin D3 in a cross-sectional study of 527 adults. Correlation and regression analyses were performed.
Results: There was no association between animal-fat intake and the adiposity indices or vitamin D3. In contrast with BMI, BRI presented a quite strong inverse correlation with vitamin D3 (r = –0.497, p < 0.001). Visceral fat area was not predicted by any of the indices.
Novelty explicit: In this adult sample from Iraq, BRI is more helpful than BMI for detecting central adiposity, which is associated with vitamin D3 insufficiency; as a result, BRI may be a better screening tool in a clinical and epidemiological context.
Conclusion: BRI was a better indicator of metabolic risk associated with adiposity than BMI. In both clinical and epidemiological settings, it might be a beneficial screening tool for central adiposity and Vitamin D deficiency.
Keywords: Body Roundness Index; Vitamin D3; Visceral fat; Body Mass Index; Adiposity.
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