Abdominal Obesity Common Even in People with Normal BMI Linked to High Cardiometabolic Risk

Dr. Shehla Shaikh, Dept. of Endocrinology, Saifee Hospital and HN Reliance Hospital, Mumbai, India

A global study found that more than 1 in 5 adults with a normal body mass index (BMI) had abdominal obesity, which was linked to higher cardiometabolic risk.

Cardiometabolic diseases remain one of the leading causes of illness and mortality worldwide. While obesity is a major risk factor, body mass index (BMI) alone may not be able to fully identify people at risk. Some people may have a normal BMI but still carry excess fat around the abdomen, which can affect health outcomes.

The study aimed to find the global prevalence of normal-weight abdominal obesity and examine its association with cardiometabolic conditions. Researchers analyzed data collected between 2000 and 2020 from the World Health Organization Stepwise Approach to Surveillance of Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors surveys conducted across 91 countries.

The analysis included 471,228 adults. Normal-weight abdominal obesity was defined as having a normal BMI with a high waist circumference. Globally, 21.7% of adults with a normal BMI had abdominal obesity.

People with normal-weight abdominal obesity were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides. The findings suggest that measuring waist circumference alongside BMI may help identify people at higher cardiometabolic risk earlier.

(Reference: Ahmed KY, Aychiluhm SB, Thapa S, Tegegne TK, Ketema DB, Kassa ZY, Kibret GD, Duko B, Shifti DM, Bore MG, Nezenega ZS. Cardiometabolic outcomes among adults with abdominal obesity and normal body mass index. JAMA network open. 2025 Oct 17;8(10):e2537942.)