What is BRI? The New Health Standard

Body Roundness Index (BRI): The New Standard for Measuring Health

Primary Keyword: Body Roundness Index (BRI)

For years, Body Mass Index (BMI) has been the primary tool for determining an individual’s health, based on height and weight. However, a new metric called Body Roundness Index (BRI) is emerging, providing a more comprehensive measure of health risks.

While BMI only considers height and weight, BRI takes into account waist circumference as well. This provides a more accurate assessment of body fat distribution and related health risks. According to the National Institutes of Health, BRI is more effective in predicting health concerns like heart disease and diabetes.

Dr. Vibhu Kawatra, a well-known pulmonologist and allergy specialist, says, “BRI offers a more precise measure of fat distribution compared to BMI. It focuses on abdominal fat, which is a major indicator of health risks like cardiovascular diseases.”

BRI vs. BMI

BMI calculates overall body weight without considering how fat is distributed. On the other hand, BRI directly addresses abdominal fat, a key contributor to metabolic disorders and cardiovascular issues. A study published in JAMA Network Open has validated BRI as a more accurate predictor of mortality risk compared to BMI.

BRI was developed in 2013 by U.S. researchers, addressing the limitations of BMI, which sometimes inaccurately categorizes individuals as overweight or healthy.

By measuring both waist circumference and height, BRI generates a value between 1 and 20, where extreme values indicate higher health risks.

While more advanced methods like DEXA scans or MRI can accurately measure body fat, they are expensive and resource-intensive. Therefore, BRI offers a more accessible alternative. Online calculators now allow individuals to quickly calculate their BRI score by entering their height and waist measurements.

The formula for calculating BRI is:
364.2-365.5 — √(1− [waist circumference in cm / 2π]² / [0.5− height in cm]²)

As awareness grows, BRI is expected to become an essential tool for assessing health risks, particularly for individuals concerned about abdominal fat and metabolic health. This method could eventually replace BMI as a primary health measure.