Background: Body Mass Index (BMI) is used as a quick and inexpensive tool to measure populations at risk for a number of metabolic and chronic conditions. In part due to its simplicity, BMI has been criticized for its inaccurate prediction concerning health outcomes. Due to the diversity in the United States, one of the potential remedies offered was to introduce race-based BMI cut-points to better predict the relationship between obesity, morbidity, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore Asian and Asian American specific BMI cut-points and its potential implications.
Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted through PubMed. Qualitative content and thematic analyses were conducted.
Results: Initial search resulted in twenty articles. Eleven studies met criteria for evaluation. Thematic analyses identified 1) Addressing disparities in morbidity and mortality 2) Lowering cut-points did not result in better clinical outcomes 3) Asian/Asian Americans are a multicultural, diverse group.
Conclusion: The BMI cut-points should not be lowered for Asian or Asian Americans in the United States.Keywords: Asian and Asian American, BMI, Asian Specific BMI Cut-Point
