# A Body Shape Index (ABSI)

## Calculator for the Body Shape Index (BSI or ABSI)

Weight
kg
Gender
Height
cm
Age
Years
Waist
cm
Units
­
BMI=
ABSI=
ABSIz=
ABSIz in Waist-Weight-Diagram
ABSI in ABSI-Age-Diagram
ABSI Risk Categories
The ABSIz value is grouped in five healty risk categories

ABSIz Value

Risk

Less than -0.868

Very low

Between -0.868 and -0.272

Low

Between -0.272 and +0.229

Average

Between +0.229 and +0.798

High

Greater than +0.798

Very high

## Calculation formula for the Body Shape Index (BSI or ABSI)

The Body Shape Index (ABSI) says something about the body sheer division. The higher the ABSI, the higher the proportion of abdominal fat compared to other body parts, such as muscles or under-the-skin fat, on the arms, legs or upper body.

$\mathrm{ABSI}=\frac{U}{{\mathrm{BMI}}^{\frac{2}{3}}\cdot \sqrt{L}}$

with U : waist size in m, L : height in m and BMI : Body Mass Index

The risk index ABSIz is calculated using the empirically determined table values for the ABSI for men and women.

$\mathrm{ABSIz}=\frac{\mathrm{ABSI}-{\mathrm{ABSI}}_{\mathrm{mean}}\left(\mathrm{age, gender}\right)}{{\mathrm{ABSI}}_{\mathrm{std}}\left(\mathrm{age, gender}\right)}$

with the indices mean : Mean value and std : Standard deviation. The ABSI values for the mean and standard deviation are empirically determined and tabulated according to age and gender.

The body mass index (BMI) is a measure that sets the weight in the ratio to the square of the body weights.

$\mathrm{BMI}=\frac{m}{{L}^{2}}$

with m : weight in kg, L : height in m

The relationship between waist size and weight is as follows:

$U=\left(\mathrm{ABSIz}\cdot {\mathrm{ABSI}}_{\mathrm{std}}\left(\mathrm{age, gender}\right)+{\mathrm{ABSI}}_{\mathrm{mean}}\left(\mathrm{age, gender}\right)\right)\frac{{m}^{\frac{2}{3}}}{{L}^{\frac{5}{6}}}$

### Waist-Weight-Diagram

In the waist-weight diagram it can be seen that a pure weight reduction does not necessarily mean a better risk class. For the ABSI, waist circumference is a major influencing variable. With a weight reduction, the star in the diagram only moves to the left. This can therefore lead to a worse risk class. Only when the waist circumference also decreases does the star also move downwards. Thus, an increase in weight can also lead to a better risk class if it is due to muscle growth and does not increase the waist circumference.

## Measurement of the waist circumference

To measure the waist circumference according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, you should stand upright and distribute the weight evenly on both legs. The arms should hang loosely at the side. Now the top of the pelvic scoop and the lower point of the lower ribbed arch are to be used. A measuring tape is applied at the center between these two points and is guided around the waist parallel to the floor. The measurement should be done at the end of the exhalation without straining the waist. It is best to inhale deeply, then exhale and stop the air and then carry out the measurement.

## Interpretation of the ABSI

The Body Shape Index (BSI) or more precisely the A Body Shape Index (ABSI) can be considered a refinement of the Body Mass Index (BMI). The ABSI essentially differs from the BMI by taking into account waist circumference in addition to weight and height. The calculated ABSI tells something about the body scheme distribution. The higher the ABSI, the higher the proportion of abdominal fat compared to other body parts such as muscle or subcutaneous fat on the arms, legs or torso. Since the ABSI is age and gender dependent, the ABSIz value is calculated. An ABSIz value of 0.0 means that the ABSI is exactly the average of all persons of the same age and sex. If the ABSIz is above this value, it means that the ABSI is above the average of all persons of the same age and sex. With higher ABSIz values, the relative risk of death is also higher. Conversely, their ABSI is below average if the ABSIz is also below 0.0. The relative risk of death based on the ABSI states whether your risk of dying is increased or decreased compared to persons of the same age and sex in a given time period. Please note that the risk calculated here is based only on the body scheme and does not take into account other factors that also affect life expectancy, such as diseases, lifestyle habits, influences of fate, etc. Of course, the value calculated here does not replace a medical consultation and only provides an indication.

Reference:

The calculation is made according to Krakauer, Nir Y.; Jesse C. Krakauer (2012-07-18): A New Body Shape Index Predicts Mortality Hazard Independently of Body Mass Index

### Body Mass Calculators

BMI for age: Child and adults Childs 1 to 5 years

BMI progress charts: BMI Charts

Body mass indices: Calculation of the Body Indices

ABSI Tables: ABSI Table Male ABSI Table Female