Body Adiposity Index

Body Adiposity Index (BAI) is a method of estimating the amount of body fat in humans. It was proposed in 2011 by Bergman et al., as an alternative to the Body Mass Index (BMI), which has been criticized for not accurately reflecting the distribution of body fat.

Overview

The Body Adiposity Index is calculated using the following formula:

BAI = (Hip Circumference / (Height ^ 1.5)) - 18

The measurements are taken in meters for height and centimeters for hip circumference. The result is a percentage that indicates the amount of body fat.

Comparison with BMI

The Body Adiposity Index differs from the Body Mass Index in that it takes into account the distribution of fat in the body. The BMI, on the other hand, is a simple calculation based on weight and height, and does not consider the distribution of weight. This can lead to inaccurate results, particularly in individuals with high muscle mass.

Criticism

While the Body Adiposity Index has been proposed as a more accurate measure of body fat than the BMI, it has also been criticized. Some studies have found that it is not a better predictor of body fat percentage than BMI. Furthermore, the BAI does not take into account differences in body composition between sexes and different ethnic groups.

See also

• Body Mass Index
• Body fat percentage
• Waist-hip ratio