The Body Volume Index (BVI) has been proposed as an alternative to Body Mass Index (BMI).

Whereas BMI is based on measurement of total mass, irrespective of the location of the mass, BVI looks at the relationship between mass and volume distribution (i.e. where the body mass is located). Recent studies have highlighted the limitations of BMI as an indicator of individual health risk.^[1][2]

[edit] BVI as an application for body shape and obesity measurement

The Body Volume Index (BVI) was devised in 2000 as a computer based measurement of the human body for obesity and an alternative to the Body Mass Index (BMI). BVI automatically measures BMI, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio.

BVI is an application to determine individual health risk that can be used on a 3D Body Scanner, whether the scanning hardware uses visible light optical information or otherwise. BVI can differentiate between people who have the same BMI rating, but who have a different shape and different weight distribution.

8 women with the same BMI rating (BMI - 30) but with different weight distribution and abdominal volume, so they have different BVI ratings

BVI is currently undergoing clinical trials in the U.S. and Europe as part of a two year collaborative project, the Body Benchmark Study[1].

Whereas the BMI of a person is measured manually by total weight and height, BVI is calculated by using 3D body data to determine volume or weight distribution. BVI measures where the weight and the fat are located on the body rather than total weight or total fat content and there has been an acceptance in recent years that abdominal fat and weight around the abdomen constitute a greater health risk, ^[3] commonly known as central obesity. A body surface scanner determines the three-dimensional outline of a person's exterior surface, so that computation can be used to calculate the part volumes and the part body composition of that person. BVI makes an inference as to the body's distribution of fat and weight using complex and detailed Body Composition data.^[4]

Most 3D scanners suitable for BVI require that the subject is scanned for a series of images under varying lighting conditions (various projected patterns), to determine body shape and weight distribution data for individual patient and statistical analysis.

BVI was conceived as a potential replacement for BMI at the turn of the millennium and after preliminary development, the initial validation was undertaken by Heartlands Hospital, an NHS Obesity Centre in the UK. This was followed by clinical testing in the US by Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.^[5]

As part of the Body Benchmark Study [2], a recent study aimed to assess the validity and reproducibility of the BVI scanner in measuring anthropometric markers of obesity.

Comparative validation of the reliability of automatic measurement as opposed to manual measurement concluded that the scanner is a reliable, valid and reproducible method to measure waist and hip circumferences.^[6]

[edit] See also

• Body composition
• Body fat percentage
• Body Mass Index
• Body shape
• Body weight
• Central obesity
• Obesity
• Overweight
• Childhood obesity

[edit] References