The body mass index [BMI] is being replaced by the measure BVI, or body volume index.
Mass, the amount of matter and energy in a given object, and measured using the Body Mass Index has previously been used as the worldwide benchmark for health statistics on obesity. BMI is a statistical measure of weight, scaled according to height.
Whilst BMI has been accepted as a useful broad based measurement tool, it is also recognised that it fails to distinguish between people of differing body shapes. There is no allowance of differences in body composition.
The main reason for adopting BMI was probably convenience – as mass is a three dimensional measure of volume, so the only true way of measuring BMI was by total body immersion in water and measuring relative volume – hardly the ideal.
However, it seems technology has resolved this problem. A new BVI scanner and computer based method can now calculate the volume of the human body, and more importantly, the volumes of the body that may have health risks, based on the individuals unique shape.
BVI can tell where the weight is on the body and what health risks each different set of circumstances can mean. The BVI Scanner is quick, safe, cost effective and above all, pleasant and non-invasive. No more dunking!
A full length scan is done using 16 sensors. These create images of the body fat. BVI is important in identifying the propensity to develop Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and many, many more weight related illnesses.
Subsequent scans automatically measure the changes in a person’s body volume and part volume
A 2-year Body Benchmark clinical research study will commence in August 2007 between five world-renowned healthcare research organisations in the US, the United Kingdom and mainland Europe.
Nicola
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