Assessment of Body Mass Index versus Body Fat Percentage in Detecting Obesity and Related Comorbidity

ranged from 18 to 60 years; 355 (49.9%) were males. The following data were documented: history of DM-II, hypertension and/or dyslipidemia. Measurements included body mass index (BMI), brachial blood pressure, blood glucose and BF%. Result: The overall prevalence of obesity according to BMI (>30 kg/m2) was 344 (48%) compared to 466 (66.5%) according to BF% (>32% in females and >25% in males). The rate of missed diagnosis of BMI for obesity is higher than BF%. When the BMI cut-off point was lowered to 27.5, the overall prevalence of obesity became 459 (64.6%), which is close to BF% result. The sensitivity and specificity of BMI 30 and BMI 27.5 in detecting the risk of DM-II, hypertension and dyslipidemia were measured. Conclusion: The sensitivity of BMI 27.5 was higher than that of BMI 30 which gives us a better screening tool for the co-morbidities. The choice of BF% reference is good for assessment of obesity prevalence compared to the BMI.