Adults with normal BMI are at increased CVD risk . PNS 2019

The results are consistent with those from other studies, which have also reported that adults in the ‘healthy’ BMI range but with WHtR >=0.5, have increased levels of cardiometabolic risk factors. WHtR has the potential to be a simple indicator of the cardiometabolic risks associated with central adipose tissue. Its use in early screening would give greater opportunity for a substantial proportion of adults (nearly one third), who are in the ‘healthy’ BMI range but have high WHtR, to receive further screening. NICE should consider the efficacy of using WHtR as an alternative to its BMI/WC matrix in primary care. Public health bodies should consider spreading the simple message to all age groups: “Keep your waist to less than half your height”.