Normal BMI With Abdominal Obesity Associated With Cardiometabolic Risks

Published October 17, 2025

Normal BMI With Abdominal Obesity Associated With Cardiometabolic Risks

More than 1 in 5 adults with normal body mass index (BMI) have abdominal obesity, according to a global study published in JAMA Network Open. Moreover, abdominal obesity with normal BMI was consistently associated with cardiometabolic risks in the analysis.

Researchers analyzed World Health Organization (WHO) survey data collected between 2000 and 2020 from more than 470 000 participants aged 15 to 69 years in 91 countries. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference of at least 80 cm in females and 94 cm in males.

The global prevalence of abdominal obesity was 45% overall and 22% among those with normal BMI. Abdominal obesity—even in people with normal BMI—was associated with hypertension, diabetes, and high total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The findings suggest the need to use both BMI and waist circumference together, rather than in isolation, to provide a more complete and accurate assessment of cardiometabolic risk across diverse populations.