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Biological BMI uncovers hidden health risks and is more responsive to lifestyle shifts

Body mass index (BMI) is a clinically useful obesity measure that shows an association with healthspan and lifespan. We developed ‘biological BMI’ scores, calculated from multi-omics data (proteins and metabolites) and clinical laboratory tests from blood. We show that a biological BMI more accurately reflects metabolic health and is more responsive to lifestyle changes than a classically measured BMI.

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Fig. 1: A biological BMI represents metabolic health condition and positive lifestyle change better than a classical BMI does.

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This is a summary of: Watanabe, K. et al. Multiomic signatures of body mass index identify heterogeneous health phenotypes and responses to a lifestyle intervention. Nat. Med. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02248-0 (2023).

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Biological BMI uncovers hidden health risks and is more responsive to lifestyle shifts. Nat Med 29, 801–802 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02283-x

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