I. Interpretation of Core Health Indicators
Body Mass Index (BMI) is an important measure for evaluating health status.The calculation is straightforward: weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters.
Among Asian populations, diabetes risk increases significantly when BMI reaches or exceeds specific thresholds.Specifically:
For men: diabetes risk rises when BMI ≥ 23.8
For women: diabetes risk rises when BMI ≥ 23.9For people already living with diabetes, the ideal BMI range is 22–24.
A standard weight formula is also provided for reference:
Men: Standard weight (kg) = Height (cm) − 105
Women: Standard weight (kg) = Height (cm) − 110Obesity is defined as body weight exceeding 20% above this standard weight.
II. Clear Risk Levels
As BMI rises above certain values, diabetes risk gradually increases:
BMI ≥ 24: classified as overweight, with elevated risk
BMI ≥ 28: classified as obese, with significantly increased riskNotably, an abnormal waist circumference may indicate hidden obesity.Waist circumference is another key indicator closely linked to diabetes risk:
Waist circumference > 90 cm in men
Waist circumference > 85 cm in womenThese values indicate abdominal obesity, which means a markedly increased risk of diabetes.
III. Comprehensive Recommendations for Health Protection
People with elevated BMI or waist circumference are advised to undergo regular blood glucose testing, including fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance test at least once a year.
Active intervention is recommended: a weight reduction of 5%–7% can effectively improve insulin resistance.
Example:A man with a height of 175 cm and weight of 77 kg has a calculated BMI of 25.1, which falls into the overweight range. His waist circumference of 88 cm also exceeds the ideal range.
In such cases, in addition to adjusting diet and lifestyle, priority should be given to reducing waist circumference to below 85 cm to lower health risks such as diabetes.