New research suggests that muscle health along with BMI was necessary to determine complete health and overall fitness.

People were categorized as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese using a straightforward equation based on weight and height. But research indicates that this single indication of health might not be sufficient on its own.

The Super Specialty Hospital in Nagpur recently completed a study on neck circumference (NC), however, it was not published. The results are interesting. According to the study, which involved more than 200 female patients, the NC is a relatively new way to distinguish between normal and aberrant fat distribution. It serves as a marker for the distribution of upper body subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue. The results of this study demonstrate a statistically significant positive link between NC and other anthropometric parameters, including BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WC), and index of central obesity (ICO).

According to experts, maintaining muscle health is crucial for movement and metabolism. Overall health, including mobility and balance, strength, immunity, and wound healing, depended on the condition of the muscles. Also as muscles correlate with the quality of life hence, it is an important indicator of health status. One may lose up to 8% of muscle mass yearly after attaining the age of 40. Additionally, the experts emphasized the need for daily assessments of mental health, blood pressure, sugar levels, and physical activity. (Times of India, Aug 22, 2022)