29 May,2017 11:24 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonia Lulla
BVI, a new measuring system heps analyses distribution of body fat, instead of merely the amount, promises to serve as a better indicator of your health risks
"Your BMI isn't directly correlated to your body fat percentage... It will give you the same reading if you're made of 180 pounds (81 kg) of pure muscle, or 180 pounds of pure Cheetos," writes fitness blogger Steve Kamb in his celebrated blog, Nerd Fitness, critiquing the limitations of the Body Mass Index as a tool to categorise individuals' health. Kamb is referring to two individuals with distinct fitness levels. How reliable then is a specific number, the BMI, putting both these individuals under the same label from one of its four categories - underweight, healthy, overweight, and obese?
BMI, as a validation of one's fitness, has long been criticised by fitness and medical experts, who've turned to equipment measuring body fat instead, for reliable numbers. But, with the area of fat deposition in the body being vital in determining one's heath risk - research suggests fat deposition in the midsection, which blankets vital organs, is associated with a higher risk of premature mortality than that carried in other areas of the body - this measurement was
still lacking.
Volume over mass
Following a decade of research on the subject, medical research group Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with UK-based market research agency and pioneer in 3D body measurement, Select Research, recently recommended the Body Volume Indicator (BVI) as a new system to measure body composition and weight distribution. A newly launched app, BVI Pro, will enable practitioners to collect this data within a mere 30-seconds. "The BVI focuses on where the fat is located and not on how much fat a person has. The technology is based on [data collected through] MRI [imaging technology, recognised gold standard for body composition]. Validation of skin-fold measurements [fat measurement via skin calipers] against MRI data have shown some discrepancies," Richard Barnes, CEO of Select Research Ltd, tells mid-day via email, while addressing how the measuring tool may offer a closer analysis of fat distribution.
Visceral fat or fat distribution around the organs, evident through a bulging waistline, is significantly more damaging than when distributed around the hips or arms. The former can lead to a series of health conditions, including metabolic diseases like diabetes, heart diseases and hence an increased risk of mortality.
The BVI Pro, reported the creators, will take an individual's fat mass, muscle mass and weight distribution into consideration, before determining their health parameters, unlike the BMI, which only takes height and weight into account while analyzing fitness. The app divides the body into seven sections - chest, abdomen, pelvis, both arms and both legs - given the difference of muscle distribution in these areas, so that the body volume of different parts and body composition can be calculated individually. Waist-to-hip ratio and abdominal volume will also be factored in when determining a score.
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A measurement of this nature, says Dr Vishwanath Prabhu, life care consultant and educator at the American College of Sports Medicine, will enhance the knowledge of a professional and the client in concern. "It can be a psychological stimulus that may motivate a client to keep up with his/her routine, especially if the person learns that s/he tends to store fat around the waist."
Yet, the data may not call for a drastic change in regimen. "It's not that one may incessantly work on their core if they learn of their tendency to store fat around the waist. A fitness regimen must cover every element, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular training, strength training and conditioning. Even if you learn of your fat distribution, these elements must still be a part of your routine. Although a little variation based on the results can be expected, data analysis of this kind will essentially give professionals a better insight into how their client's body reacts, making them aware of the ailments they may encounter," he says.
Although Dr Prabhu points out that the effectiveness of the measuring system will in fact, only be tested through time, should the app prove itself, BVI will come as a relief for clients. "Often, fat measuring systems like skin-fold testing require clients to turn up before professionals in minimal clothing, which may make them uncomfortable. This system eliminates the need for any physical contact with the client."
Dr Sanjay Borude, bariatric surgeon at Breach Candy hospital admits he isn't familiar with the working of the app, but points out that similar measuring equipment has been available in medical and professional setups. "They have also successfully analysed body fat deposition, but it is possible that newer technology may make the analysis more efficient," he says, adding that understanding fat deposition goes a long way in dealing with metabolic conditions and obesity.
Looking ahead
Already available in international markets, the application is expected to be made available on the iPad for professionals in India without cost (with in-app purchases) in the following months. "The reason that an iPad with iOS 10.2 and higher has been used is to ensure consistency of quality and image capture for the BVI data analysis. The aim, with the help of the scientific community, is to make BVI a viable and credible 'index' by 2020," Barnes shares.
