BVI: At last, a more accurate picture of body fat

Once it was a pair of scales that determined whether someone was overweight. Then health carers turned to body mass index (BMI), a calculation using weight and height measurements, which indicates where someone is on a scale ranging from underweight to obese. But BMI has it problems. Very fit athletes who carry a lot of muscle, which weighs more than fat, can be classed as obese. Step forward the Body Volume Index scanner, which its makers claim can offer a more accurate picture of body fat, and, crucially, indicates where it is on the body. Fat around the stomach is more hazardous than anywhere else on the body, being linked with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Developed by Birmingham-based Select Research, which has done all the major sizing surveys for Marks & Spencer and Next, the machine provides people with a health-risk indicator based on their body composition and shape. The scanner has 32 cameras which use white light non-radioactive means to create a "virtual" model of a person's shape in less than seven seconds. It then assesses the health risks according to where the weight and fat are distributed on the body. They hope that the Body Volume Index (BVI) will become a measurement standard for healthcare.

The scanner has been tested by Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital in a weight-management trial to see whether it helped people with motivation to shed pounds. The results will be known later in the year. So how does the BVI scanner compare to the older methods? Four volunteers were weighed and measured by conventional means at Birmingham's Virgin Active gym and then stepped inside the BVI scanner. We asked fitness expert Jon Roberts to assess the results.

DONNA CARTER

Age 25

Occupation market researcher

Weight 54.7Kg (8st 6)

Height 1.705m (5ft 5)

Body Fat 25.5%

Waist 25.5 inches

Hips 27.5 inches

BMI 18.9

(Underweight = <18.5; Normal weight = 18.5-24.9; Overweight = 25-29.9; Obese = BMI of 30 or greater)

BVI 19

BVI analysis: "Donna has an even distribution of body weight with wide hips, which is no problem for a woman of 25. There is no fat around the abdominal area and her 'normal weight' category by BMI is probably accurate. Her BVI rating is likely to be similar; taking her age, gender and ethnicity (Caucasian) into account she has a normal distribution of weight for a woman."

Jon Roberts: "At 25, I would hope her body fat percentage would be lower. Ideally you'd want it to be 21 to 24 per cent. She is carrying a bit more body fat than she should be. In her picture, most of the fat is across the hips rather than around the stomach. To maintain her health, she could be at a slightly lower body fat. The BMI is healthy. The BVI has matched the BMI. She should be exercising. She's light but doesn't have enough muscle."

Donna: "I completely agree. I horse-ride and go on the odd jog and cycle. I go through phases where I exercise a lot and then don't do any. On the scan I was shocked at how big my hips look compared to the rest of my body. I am careful about what I eat. I try to get five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and if I eat snacks they are low in fat and salt. But I need to exercise. This has motivated me. It's a shock to find out the percentage of fat is higher than recommended for my age."

RAY FAIRFAX

Age 65

Occupation van driver

Weight 111.5Kg (17.5stone)

Height 1.74m (5ft 7)

Body Fat 37.89%

Waist 48 inches

Hips 45 inches

BMI 36.82

(Underweight = <18.5; Normal weight = 18.5-24.9; Overweight = 25-29.9; Obese = BMI of 30 or greater)

BVI 37-38

BVI analysis: "The side scan indicates poor posture - he leans back, which many people with a large stomach do. The concentration of weight around the lower chest and the abdomen raises concern. Weight around the abdomen constitutes a greater health risk as the major organs are in that area. The BMI 'obese' rating is correct, although given his age and the high percentage of weight around the abdomen, a higher BVI rating will be assigned given the possible health risks associated with this distribution of body weight at 65."

Jon Roberts: "He has a high body fat level and would be classified as obese. His fat is stored around the mid-section. That is a high risk. The BVI is higher because the storage is around the middle. I am concerned about the risk of type II diabetes. The scanner has done the right job. He needs to lose weight through diet and exercise."

Ray: "It's fair comment. I've been going to WeightWatchers for eight weeks and have lost eight pounds. I've done it a few times before, but when you're successful you pack in going and put it back on. It's a vicious circle. I garden and do a bit of walking, but arthritis restricts my movement. I've had the fat round my middle for almost 10 years, but it's not a beer belly. The findings haven't really told me anything I didn't know already."

JULIE BROWN

Age 45

Occupation administrator

Weight 66.5Kg (10st4)

Height 1.68m (5ft 5)

Body Fat 31.6%

Waist 35 inches

Hips 37 inches

BMI 23

(Underweight = <18.5; Normal weight = 18.5-24.9; Overweight = 25-29.9; Obese = BMI of 30 or greater)

BVI 23

BVI analysis: "Julie's weight is mainly situated within the chest, abdomen and pelvic areas (67 per cent of total volume). She has good spinal alignment but the weight around the abdomen and pelvic areas (29 per cent of Total Body Volume) would raise her BVI level. Weight centred in the abdominal area constitutes the greatest health risk. Her age (45) would also be taken into account here when assessing the BVI rating, although she would not be classified as overweight."

Jon Roberts: "She's within the top range of normal body fat percentage. Ideally you'd want her to be under 30 per cent. At her age she should be close to 28 per cent. The fat looks well distributed, which suggests that she does exercise. She needs to keep it up and watch her calories. She's quite heavy. She needs to be about 10 stone."

Julie: "It was interesting to see my body shape printed out. I do exercise though I haven't had time in the last two months. I used to go the gym and play racquetball. When you get to 45 your metabolism slows down and it gets harder. I was told that my BMI was in the better end of normal. I dispute the fact that the fat around my abdomen is because my waist is smaller than my hips. I intend to get back to the gym for the summer. I try and eat healthily but I'm not obsessive."

NICK TAYLOR

Age 37

Occupation personal trainer for Virgin Active, Birmingham

Weight 89Kg (14st 1lb)

Height 1.88m (6ft 1in)

Body Fat 18.8%

Waist 32 inches

Hips 37 inches

BMI 25.5

(Underweight = <18.5; Normal weight = 18.5-24.9; Overweight = 25-29.9; Obese = BMI of 30 or greater)

BVI 22-23

BVI analysis: "According to his BMI, Nick is overweight. Yet only 13 per cent of his body weight is around his abdomen, which is healthy. The majority of weight is around the chest, which indicates that it is muscle. His BVI rating is therefore reduced to account for the muscle-to-fat ratio. His age (37) indicates a low health risk given his weight and fat distribution; he has a 'normal weight' under BVI."

Jon Roberts: "Nick is a good example of where this machine can help. He's a big guy at 14st and 6ft 1. He's got a healthy body fat percentage for his age. So the immediateassumption is that he must be muscular to maintain that body fat levelat that age. The BMI says that his body mass is high. The BVI reduces that. It's says he's fit because of the size of his chest compared to his waist. And therefore his health ratio is lower. He's doing everything correctly."

Nick: "I was quite impressed by the scanner. Because of my job I already know that BMI doesn't mean anything. We always do body fat testing at the gym. I train almost every day. I do my own personal training and instruct. I was in the Marines for seven years so my level of fitness has been high. I eat plenty of chicken, fish, fruit and vegetables. I'm a bit of an organic freak."

The verdict on BVI

Jon's overall conclusion: "The rationale behind this system is that it takes into account body shape to a greater degree. It's where the fat is stored in the body that is unhealthy, not the weight of it. Fat around the abdomen has been clearly shown to have a distinct relationship with an increased risk of heart disease.

"But what the machine does that is different from normal BMI is very negligible for these people. The results don't differ that greatly from what the guys in the gym have done with a fairly crude BMI reading. Of all the figures that are here, the body fat percentage is still the most meaningful to me.

"The scanner is helping in some cases. If you're exercising it takes that into account and gives you a better score. The encouraging thing is that it has made some reasonably good alterations for those who are exercising."

Jon Roberts - www.mattroberts.co.uk; Virgin Active - www.virginactive.co.uk; BVI - www.bodybenchmark.org

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