Latest news with #BMI
New York Times
5 hours ago
- Health
- New York Times
Is It Wrong to Push Ozempic on My Spouse?
My husband's lifestyle is very sedentary, with minimal exercise (20 to 60 minutes a week), though he does eat a largely healthy diet. I've watched him struggle with his weight over the 15 years we've been together, cycling through various approaches to diet and exercise. Even when he succeeds in losing weight, it always comes back, and now he seems to have given up. As we both approach 50, I worry that his B.M.I., which is 30, and his B.R.I. (body roundness index, a measure of abdominal fat) are high (he can't even button some of his shirts around the middle), which could lead to other health issues. I've already tried encouraging him to move more and eat better, but I can't schedule every one of my workouts for us to exercise together, and he dislikes some of the routines I do, anyway. He's also very sensitive about his weight. Is it wrong for me to try to get him to take Ozempic? I'm hoping that losing weight will help boost his energy levels, which might lead to more self-care. I know it's not my body, and I'm not his doctor, but as his wife I also know it will fall to me to care for him if health issues arise. — Name Withheld From the Ethicist: It's natural to worry about the health of someone you love — especially as the years accumulate and the lines between caring for yourself and caring for your partner begin to blur. Long-term relationships involve a particular kind of vigilance: You notice the wince, the shortened breath, the unbuttoned shirt. This isn't control; it's love in the form of everyday attention. Obesity really is correlated with health problems, and if your husband could lose weight sustainably, his life might improve in ways that matter. Historically, weight loss has been a story of perpetual disappointment — diets abandoned, exercise routines that peter out, New Year's resolutions that start wobbling the following evening when it becomes clear that celery sticks are an imperfect substitute for chocolates. GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, have helped many people break that cycle. Still, even sound advice can land wrong if it touches a nerve. If your husband is sensitive about his weight, the real challenge isn't knowing what's best; it's finding a way to talk about it that feels loving, not critical. Try to keep the focus on the prospect of his feeling fitter and on your hope for more good years ahead. Maybe suggest he talk to his doctor — not as a directive but as a way to explore options. You're not pushing him to 'fix' himself; you're looking out for him. If it turns out to be a difficult conversation all the same? Loving someone can mean risking that discomfort — for the sake of all the days you haven't yet lived together. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Fox News
6 hours ago
- Health
- Fox News
Body fat predicts major health risk that BMI misses, researchers say
Body mass index (BMI) may not be the most accurate predictor of death risk. A new study from the University of Florida found that BMI — a measurement that is commonly used to determine whether a person's weight is in a healthy range for their height — is "deeply flawed" in terms of predicting mortality. Instead, one's level of body fat is "far more accurate," concluded the study, which was published this week in the Annals of Family Medicine. To measure participants' body fat, the researchers used a method called bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which uses a device to measure the resistance of body tissue to a small electrical current. Over a 15-year period, those who had high body fat were found to be 78% more likely to die than those who had healthy body fat levels, researchers found. They were also more than three times as likely to die of heart disease, the study noted. BMI — which is calculated by dividing weight by height, squared — was described as "entirely unreliable" in predicting the risk of death over a 15-year period from any cause. The study included 4,252 people in the U.S. and pulled data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. BMI should not be relied upon as a "vital sign" of health, according to senior author Frank Orlando, M.D., medical director of UF Health Family Medicine in Springhill. "I'm a family physician, and on a regular basis, we're faced with patients who have diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other conditions that are related to obesity," Orlando said in a press release for the study. "One of the routine measures we take alongside traditional vital signs is BMI. We use BMI to screen for a person having an issue with their body composition, but it's not as accurate for everyone as vital signs are," he added. BMI has been the international standard for measuring obesity since the 1980s, according to many sources, though some experts have questioned its validity. "I think the study shows it's time to go to an alternative that is now proven to be far better at the job." An individual is considered obese if their BMI is 30 or above, overweight if it is between 25 and 29.9, of "normal" weight in the range of 18.5 to 24.9, or underweight if lower than 18.5. While BMI is easy to calculate, one of its main limitations is that it cannot distinguish between muscle and fat mass, the researchers noted. "For example, people who are bodybuilders can really elevate their body mass index," Orlando said. "But they're healthy even with a BMI indicating that they're obese." "BMI is just so ingrained in how we think about body fat," Mainous added. "I think the study shows it's time to go to an alternative that is now proven to be far better at the job." Other methods, such as a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan, may be even more accurate than BIA, but are much more expensive and not as accessible, the researchers noted. "If you talk to obesity researchers, they're going to say you have to use the DEXA scan because it's the most accurate," Mainous said in the release. "And that's probably true. But it's never going to be viable in a doctor's office or family practice." Dr. Stephen Vogel — a family medicine physician with PlushCare, a virtual health platform with primary care, therapy and weight management options — echoed the limitations of BMI. "It has been an easy measurement tool that helps us understand at-risk groups across various populations and demographics, but it doesn't provide accurate data from patient to patient," the North Carolina-based doctor, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "These findings don't challenge the assumptions about BMI — they strengthen the message that new standards, delivered in a consistent and low-cost way, would provide better nuance for the individual when it comes to their overall physical health." "The main strengths of this study are a better correlation to an individual's risk of morbidity and mortality — however, the limitations lie in the fact that we don't have enough data to determine the right cutoff for these numbers, or to identify the right tools that will be both accurate and precise across the population," Vogel said. The researchers also acknowledged that body fat percentage thresholds haven't yet been as standardized as BMI and waist circumference. Also, the age range of the participants in the study was limited by the data source. "Future studies should extend this comparison of body fat to BMI in older adults," the researchers wrote. The study was also limited by focusing only on mortality as an outcome, they noted, without taking into account any developing diseases — such as heart failure or cancer — that could deepen the understanding of body fat as a risk factor. The goal, according to Vogel, is to have a cost-effective, consistent method that can be used across the population with reliable accuracy. "These data will drive better discussions in the doctor's office, as well as public health initiatives with the goal of improving the health of all." "Benefits would come in the form of a more detailed list of information that helps providers and patients make informed decisions about the patient's health, which is ideal," Vogel noted. "I'm hopeful there's enough buzz around these measures that steps will continue to be taken toward regular implementation." For more Health articles, visit The researchers are hopeful that once standards are validated, measuring body fat percentage with bioelectrical impedance analysis could become standard of care. They added, "These data will drive better discussions in the doctor's office, as well as public health initiatives with the goal of improving the health of all."
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
New Radicals Gregg Alexander Wins BMI Pop Award for "Murder on the Dance Floor" Two Decades After His mid-2000's Song of the Year "Game of Love" Performance Is Unearthed in a Storage Unit After a Family Tragedy
Watch Game of Love performed at BMI Awards from 2005. 'MURDER ON THE DANCEFLOOR' WAS ONE OF RADIO, TIKTOK AND STREAMING'S MOST PLAYED SONGS OF 2024 SPURRED ON BY A MEMORABLE APPEARANCE IN THE HIT FILM SALTBURN PER BIG HASSLE MEDIA LOS ANGELES, June 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Last month New Radical Gregg Alexander was honored at the BMI Awards in Beverly Hills, CA for his work co-writing the iconic copyright, 'Murder On The Dancefloor' watch. The song was initially a global hit in 2001 for his co-writer, Sophie Ellis-Bextor on her LP Read My Lips, and reached #2 on the UK singles charts in 2002. But last year it equaled its original chart position and saw a global resurgence due in large part to it being used in a pivotal scene, which Alexander coined to Billboard as the 'sadly oft true to life' Saltburn. The song was also covered by Interscope Aussie indie duo Royel Otis. Their version hit #1 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart and became one of Australia's biggest songs of 2024, whilst sparking a global bidding war. Alexander originally planned 'Murder On The Dancefloor' to be the 1st single for his band's critically acclaimed platinum debut, Maybe You've Been Brainwashed, Too. But after writing 'You Get What You Give' not only did 'Murder' not become a single it was abandoned for inclusion on their debut LP. But in March last year Alexander shared a snippet of his original 'Murder On The Dancefloor' demo in a viral Guardian interview just before 'soft releasing' his demo's full length version on DSP's in support of Kamala Harris the week she accepted the Chicago DNC Presidential nomination. The song also honored Doug Emhoff and Michelle Obama both sharing 'You Get What You Give' as their 'walk on' music at the DNC 's August, 2024 convention when they spoke in immediate succession. This year's BMI Award for 'Murder On The Dancefloor' coincides with Alexander winning the rights organization's coveted song of the year award two decades back for his Santana/Michelle Branch 'The Game Of Love', which also won a Grammy for best pop collaboration with vocals. This year's BMI song of the year winner was Benson Boone's 'Beautiful Things'. Alexander, who sadly lost his mom in March, was going through boxes and came upon a lost DVD of his band's only live 'hatless' performance of his mid 2000's Santana classic. A song both Tina Turner and Macy Gray sang, and Michelle Branch won a Grammy for, but Gregg's live version has never been seen online! Says Alexander: 'Sophie's 'Murder On The Dancefloor' resurgence tragically happened between 2024's untimely passing of my dad in mid-May and the following March loss of my heartbroken mom, as often happens when a family caretaker spouse unexpectedly passes. 'So after seven weeks by my mom's hospital bedside, alongside 'Unwritten' author and New Radical Danielle Brisebois and my big sister too, when the phone rang and BMI's Barbara Cane surprised me 'Murder' was winning a BMI award—-she also shared wise personal advice. 'Which is: anyone hospitalized can hear and feel you are there! So they will benefit from their fave music playin' and hearing words of support. So always speak aloud of life's best memories— because your loved ones can still hear you amidst your love and eminent security! 'This inspired me to drive to Public Storage to sift through dozens of 'boxes of memories.' Like 80's solo writing tapes and, to wax poetic, yoga-nurse bic pic lisa p GPP Municipal receipts! 90's reels and 'house bros' played 'Buisness!' loan gestures!? Even 2000's nut The Mob hoe 'JT5 bus assault toys!' Troll's racist voicemail rolls from years of yore—that's a quadruple rhyme! 'But most blessedly CD's of mom's fave 70's Carpenters tunes to play her—instead of the heart wrenching tapes my retch sobbing dad made weeks before passing. To frankly shed light on the 'disowned stalker heathen Aiuto,' to quote my dad and means 'Help in Italian!', and those will shake down hour vids ghostwriters visits dad encountered last May. 'So when I stumbled upon a DVD of Dani and my only New Rad-era filmed 'hatless' performance we felt a brief respite from those events. Us soon blastin' music at BMI's office whom christened it a sweet time capsule of my sarcastic 'No Mayo!' mom's fave song of mine, 'The Game Of Love.' 'Watch in memoriam of last month being the one year mark of my lovably unique dad Tony's passing. And honoring now above much missed BMI CEO Frances W Preston! And also with thanks for BMI's current 'sage advice' VP Barbara Cane (and my greatly missed mum Sharon!) please watch New Rad's one-off 'dancin' on the tables' song of the year performance from two decades back. To quote Adele, from 'When we were young!'' View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Big Hassle Media
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Annals of Family Medicine: Body Fat Percentage Beats BMI in Predicting 15-Year Mortality Risk Among U.S. Adults Ages 20 to 49
PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study published in Annals of Family Medicine finds that body-fat percentage is a stronger predictor of 15-year mortality risk in U.S. adults than body mass index (BMI). Although BMI is widely used in clinics as the standard measure of body composition, it can potentially misclassify muscular individuals as overweight and miss cases of "normal-weight obesity," masking serious metabolic and heart disease risks. The study findings support reexamining how body composition is measured in clinical settings. Researchers from the University of Florida analyzed data from 4,252 participants in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized U.S. adults ages 20 to 49. All participants had complete technician measured body composition data, including height, weight and waist circumference. Body fat percentage was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Records were linked to the National Death Index through 2019. After adjusting for age, race and poverty status, the study found: Numbers in parentheses are the hazard ratio (HR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Adults with a high body-fat percentage (27% or more in men; 44% or more in women) were 1.78 times more likely to die from any cause than individuals in the healthy body fat range (HR 1.78; 95% CI, 1.28 to 2.47). Adults with a high body-fat percentage were also 3.62 times more likely to die from heart disease (HR 3.62; 95% CI, 1.55 to 8.45). Overweight/obese BMI (25 kg/m² or higher) was not associated with a statistically significant higher risk of death from any cause, compared with adults in the healthy BMI range (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.84). Adults with a high waist circumference (more than 40 inches in men; more than 35 inches in women) were 1.59 times more likely to die from any cause than individuals in the healthy range (HR 1.59; 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.26). Adults with a high waist circumference were also 4.01 times more likely to die from heart disease (HR 4.01; 95% CI, 1.94 to 8.27). Historically, it has been difficult to measure body fat percentage in primary care outpatient settings. New bioelectrical impedance devices have the potential to change this; however, implementation details remain to be worked out, as primary care clinics are not yet routinely using them. "This is a game changer for body composition assessment. Our study is basically a Coke versus Pepsi comparison of a direct and indirect measure of body fat for future mortality risk and a direct measure of body fat percentage that can be done in the office was significantly better," said Arch G. Mainous III, PhD, lead author and professor in the Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy at the University of Florida. "The medical community has been aware that BMI has some limitations as a measure of body composition and disease risk. It is an indirect measure of body fat percentage. Direct measures have historically been too expensive and difficult to use in the office. Our study shows that a direct measure of body fat that can be done easily, practically and inexpensively in a doctor's office solves the problems of BMI," said Frank A. Orlando, MD, corresponding author in the Department of Community Health and Family Medicine at the University of Florida. Article Cited: Body Mass Index vs Body Fat Percentage as a Predictor of Mortality in Adults Aged 20-49 Years Arch G. Mainous III, PhD; Lu Yin, PhD; Velyn Wu, MD, MACM; Pooja Sharma, MPH; Breana M. Jenkins, BPH; Aaron A. Saguil, MD, MPH; Danielle S. Nelson, MD, MPH; and Frank A. Orlando, MD Annals of Family Medicine is an open access, peer-reviewed, indexed research journal that provides a cross-disciplinary forum for new, evidence-based information affecting the primary care disciplines. Launched in May 2003, Annals of Family Medicine is sponsored by six family medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Medicine, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, and the North American Primary Care Research Group. Annals of Family Medicine is published online six times each year, charges no fee for publication, and contains original research from the clinical, biomedical, social, and health services areas, as well as contributions on methodology and theory, selected reviews, essays, and editorials. Complete editorial content and interactive discussion groups for each published article can be accessed for free on the journal's website, View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Annals of Family Medicine Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Shelter Afrique Development Bank extends $15mln housing loan to Banque Mauritanienne de l'Investissement
Nouakchott, Mauritania – Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB), a leading Pan-African multilateral development bank committed to financing and advancing housing, urban, and related infrastructure development, has signed a USD 15 million loan agreement with Banque Mauritanienne de l'Investissement (BMI) to finance affordable housing in Mauritania. The transaction signed Monday in Nouakchott, Mauritania, is part of the ShafDB's strategy to promote access to decent housing for low- and middle-income populations in Africa, and will strengthen Mauritania's housing finance ecosystem, particularly for under-served populations. The loan will be used to co-finance the construction of 1,000 homes in the town of ZOUÉRATT and the servicing of 1,000 plots in the commune of TEVRAGH ZEINA for the diaspora and residents. Commenting on the agreement, Shelter Afrique Development Bank Managing Director Mr Thierno-Habib Hann noted that ShafDB and the BMI shared a similar vision: to help the diaspora and residents of the town of ZOUÉRATT to build their own homes. 'This partnership with BMI will make it possible to offer affordable and decent housing to low-income households, filling part of the 50,000 housing deficit in Mauritania in a context where urbanisation is growing at a rate of 4%," said Mr Hann,' said Mr. Hann. BMI Managing Director Mohamed Yahya Sidi welcomed the agreement, saying his institution was honoured to work with Shelter Afrique Development Bank to finance affordable housing projects in Mauritania. "This partnership strengthens our commitment to Mauritania's socio-economic development, broadens our inclusive housing finance solutions, and confirms our support for the country's ambitious urban development programme," said Mr. Sidi. Through this partnership, it is estimated that around 5,000 jobs will be created, 12,400 people will benefit from the project and 2,000 households will gain access to housing through self-build or direct purchase. About Shelter Afrique Development Bank Established in 1981 in Lusaka, Zambia, Shelter Afrique Development Bank (ShafDB) is a Pan-African Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) dedicated to promoting and financing sustainable green housing, urban development and related infrastructure. It operates through a shareholding of 44 African governments and two institutional shareholders: African Development Bank (AfDB) and African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa-Re). The institution is involved in financing housing and related infrastructure across the value chain, both on the demand and supply sides, through its four (4) business lines: Financial Institutions Group (FIG), the Project Finance Group (PFG), the Sovereign and Public-Private partnerships (PPP) Group, and the Fund Management Group (FMG). About Banque Mauritanienne de l'Investissement (BMI) Banque Mauritanienne de l'Investissement (BMI) is a leading financial institution in Mauritania, providing innovative Islamic banking services tailored to individuals, SMEs, and corporations. The bank is bank committed to supporting economic growth and social development in Mauritania. For further inquiries, please contact: Communication Team | Shelter Afrique| Shelter Afrique Centre | Longonot Road – Upper Hill| Email: info@ OR Mike Omuodo | Media Fast PR| Email: |
