Reports out today change the way the medical community measures BMI or body mass index. Thought to
be overly simplistic, the BMI estimates are based on height and weight of the individual. This method of determining body fat has been in existence for close to 200 years. But all that is about to change.
Researchers have found a more definitive look at obesity is a DXA scan or bone density test which measures bone density, muscle and fat. A study of 1393 patients showed 48% were misdiagnosed from the loss of muscle mass due to age. DXA scan is costly but a simple $1 blood test for leptin, a hormone associated with obesity can pay off enormously.
Obesity is one of the leading causes of costly medical problems in this country.
• diabetes
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• cancer
The changes in testing for obesity will give us a better picture like LDL, bad cholesterol and the HDL, good cholesterol, providing a pro-active, preventative and wellness care approach.
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