Wellness Exchange: Health Discussions
Body Roundness Index: The New Health Predictor Surpassing BMI
(upbeat music) - Welcome to "Listen To." This is Ted. The news was published on Wednesday, October 9th. Today we're joined by Eric and Kate. Let's dive into our topic for today. Today we're discussing a new health measurement called Body Roundness Index, or BRI. Let's start with the basics. Eric, what exactly is BRI and how does it differ from BMI? - Well, Ted, BRI is like my cooler, more detailed cousin. It's a calculation that takes into account your waist size and height. The big deal here is that it gives us a better picture of where your fat is hanging out in your body, especially around the important bits, like your organs. It's not just about how heavy you are, but where that weight is distributed. - That's right, but let's not get too excited here. BMI has been our go-to measure for years and for good reason. It's simple, easy to calculate. - Hold up, Kate. - Simple doesn't always mean better. Sure, BMI is easy, but it's also pretty flawed. Take a bodybuilder, for example. They might have a BMI that says they're overweight, but their BRI would tell a completely different story. - But you're missing the point, Eric. BMI is accessible. People can easily figure it out at home. Are we really going to ask everyone to start measuring their waist circumference accurately? - You both raise interesting points. Now the study mentioned found some significant correlations. Kate, can you elaborate on what the researchers discovered? - Absolutely, Ted. This study is a game changer. It showed that people with higher BRI measurements had a much greater risk of cardiovascular disease. We're talking a 163% higher risk between the high and low BRI groups. That's huge. It's clear evidence that BRI is superior to BMI. This could revolutionize how we assess health risks. Whoa, slow down there. Let's not jump to conclusions. Yes, the results are interesting, but we need to remember that this study was conducted only in China. We can't just take these results and apply them to everyone everywhere. Different populations might show-- - But Eric, you're ignoring the sheer size of this study. We're talking about over 9,900 adults. That's a massive sample size. When you have numbers that big, you can start drawing some pretty meaningful conclusions. This isn't some small-- - Sizes in everything, Kate. What we really need is diversity in our study populations. One large study in China doesn't give us the full picture. We need to see similar results across different ethnic groups, ages and lifestyles before we can start claiming BRI. - You're being overly cautious, Eric. The results speak for themselves. A 163% higher risk between high and low BRI groups isn't something we can just ignore. This could be the key to identifying at-risk individuals much earlier. - I get your enthusiasm, Kate, but we need to pump the breaks a bit. Correlation doesn't equal causation, and we've seen plenty of promising health measures come and go. We need more research, preferably across multiple populations, before we even think about ditching BMI completely. It's not about being cautious, it's about being thorough. - Let's put BRI in historical context. Can you think of a similar shift in health measurements from the past? - You know, this whole BRI versus BMI debate reminds me of another big shift in health measurements. Cast your mind back to the 1970s, when we moved from just measuring total cholesterol to looking at LDL and HDL separately, it's a similar principle where we're getting more specific and nuanced in our health assessments. - That's a stretch, Eric. Cholesterol types are distinct substances with different effects on the body. BRI is just a new way to calculate the same thing. Body fat. It's not nearly as lightweight as you're making. - You're missing the bigger picture here. Just like how LDL and HDL gave us a more nuanced view of heart health, BRI gives us more insight into fat distribution. It's not just about how much fat you have, but where it's located, that's crucial. - But you're overlooking a key difference. Cholesterol measurement required new blood tests and lab work. BRI is just math with a tape measure. It's not introducing any new biomarkers or complex tests. - I see where you're coming from, Kate, but I think you're fixating too much on the technical aspects. The principle is the same. We're moving from a simplistic measure to a more detailed one for better health predictions, whether it's a blood test or a tape measure, the goal is the same, more accurate health assessments. - Interesting comparison. Now, how might the adoption of BRI impact healthcare practices? Oh, it'll be a game changer, Ted. BRI has the potential to revolutionize preventive care. Imagine doctors catching health risks earlier before they turn into full-blown problems. We could intervene sooner, potentially saving countless lives. It's not just about individual health either. This could have a massive impact on reducing healthcare costs in the long run. - Whoa, let's pump the brakes a bit, Kate. You're painting a pretty rosy picture there. In reality, implementation would be slow and potentially costly. We're talking about changing established practices across the entire healthcare system. - But Eric, you're being way too pessimistic. The potential benefits far outweigh any short-term costs or resistance. We're talking about saving lives here. Isn't that worth a bit of hassle and adjustment? We can't let bureaucracy and stubbornness stand away. - Kate, I'm not being pessimistic. I'm being realistic. We need more evidence before making such sweeping changes. What works in China might not work in other countries with different diets, lifestyles, and genetic factors. We can't just upend the entire system based on one. - You're being too cautious, Eric. Sometimes we need to take bold steps to improve public health. If we always waited for perfect evidence, we'd never make any progress. BRI offers a more nuanced view of health risks, and that alone makes it worth pursuing. We shouldn't let perfect be the enemy of good when it comes to saving lives. - Let's look to the future. How do you see BRI being used in the next decade? I'm telling you, Ted. BRI is going to be huge. In the next 10 years, I predict it'll completely replace BMI in all medical settings. It'll be the new gold standard for assessing health risks. We'll see it used in everything from routine checkups to insurance assessments. People will be as familiar with their BRI as they are with their blood pressure now. - That's a pretty unrealistic prediction, Kate. BMI is deeply entrenched in medical practice, public health policy, and even popular culture. It's not going to disappear overnight. I see BRI being used alongside BMI, not replacing it entirely. It'll be another-- - But Eric, you're underestimating how quickly things can change when there's a clear benefit. Once people understand how much better BRI is at predicting health risks, they'll demand it. Patients will insist on knowing their BRI. It's like when people started asking for their-- - You're assuming everyone will have access to accurate waste measurements, Kate. - That's not always the case. BMI is still easier to calculate quickly, especially in settings where time and resources are limited. Not every doctor's office or health clinic will-- - Technology will solve that problem, Eric. We'll probably have apps that can measure waste circumference using smartphone cameras. It'll be as easy as taking a selfie. People are already using apps to track all sorts of health metrics. BRI will just be-- - That raises some serious privacy concerns, Kate. Not everyone wants to share body photos even with an app. Plus, there's the issue of data security. Who's storing all this waste measurement data? How is it being protected? These are important questions we need to address before we start pushing for widespread BRI adoption. - Interesting predictions. Lastly, how might the food and fitness industries respond to BRI becoming more prominent? - Oh, they'll jump on the BRI bandwagon for sure. We'll see BRI-focused diets, exercise plans, tailored to improve your BRI, and maybe even BRI tracking smartwatches. It'll be the new buzzword in health and fitness. Companies will be falling over themselves to incorporate BRI into their products and marketing. - I'm more skeptical about that, Kate. These industries have built empires around BMI. They've got tons of products, programs, and marketing campaigns all centered on BMI. They might resist change to protect their existing investments. It's not just about adopting a new-- - But consumers will demand it, Eric. Companies that don't adapt will be left behind. People are always looking for the next big thing in health and fitness. BRI could be that thing. It offers a more nuanced view of body composition, which is exactly what fits in the-- - Or they might create confusion by promoting both BMI and BRI, leaving consumers more bewildered than ever. We could end up with a mess of conflicting information with some companies pushing BMI and others pushing BRI. It's not always about what's best but-- - That's so cynical, Eric. I believe people are smarter than that and will gravitate towards the better measure. Sure, there might be some initial confusion, but in the long run, the superior method will win out. BRI offers real advantages, and savvy consumers will recognize that. - Time will tell, Kate, but I think the transition, if it happens, will be much slower and more complicated than you're suggesting. We're talking about changing ingrained habits and beliefs about health. That doesn't happen overnight, no matter how good the new method might be. - Well, it seems we've covered a lot of ground today. From the basics of BRI to its potential future impact, we've heard some fascinating perspectives. While there's clearly still debate about how quickly and widely BRI might be adopted, it's certainly an interesting development in health measurement. Thanks to Eric and Kate for their insights, and thank you for tuning in to listen to. Until next time, stay healthy and stay informed.