The body mass index thresholds used to define individuals who are obese may be adjusted for South Asians, Chinese and blacks, reports Practical Business.
Generally a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or above is used to define obesity for everyone, but South Asian, Chinese and blacks have a risk for diabetes at a lower BMI than whites. South Asians with a BMI of at least 22, Chinese with a BMI at least 24 and Black people with a BMI at least 26 are at risk of diabetes.
“This study confirms that we need to apply different thresholds for obesity interventions for different ethnic groups,” said Professor Jill Pell, director of the Institute of Health and Wellbeing. “If not, we are potentially subjecting non-white groups to discrimination by requiring a higher level of risk before we take action.”
You can read more about what these findings mean in Practical Business.
