Announcement: Waist Circumference Outperforms BMI in Predicting Disability Risk, Whitehall II Cohort Study Shows

Last updated: 12/08/2026 21:29

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A new analysis of the Whitehall II cohort study shows that waist circumference is a stronger predictor of functional disability in older adults than BMI. The 11-year follow-up of 4,593 UK civil servants found that simple clinical measures—waist circumference, walking speed, and chair rise time—outperformed standard anthropometric screening. — Photo by B Y G on Unsplash (Unsplash License)

1 min read|61 words

A major cohort study just flipped conventional screening practice. Waist circumference predicts disability better than BMI in older adults—yet most annual physicals measure BMI, not waist. The Whitehall II 11-year follow-up tracked 4,593 UK civil servants and found central obesity measurement trumps traditional weight-for-height. Time to reequip your physical exam? Read the full analysis.

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GMJ Brief · Announcement

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ByProf. Giorgi Pkhakadze

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Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD, is Editor-in-Chief of the Georgian Medical Journal and Chair of the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG). He is Professor and Head of the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences at David Tvildiani Medical University, and Secretary/Treasurer of the UEMS Section of Public Health. ORCID: 0000-0001-7609-4515.

Announcement: Waist Circumference Outperforms BMI in Predicting Disability Risk, Whitehall II Cohort Study Shows

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