A Body Shape Index (ABSI) uses your waist size, together with your BMI and height, to estimate health risks. It is best for detecting people who have too much abdominal fat.
Two people with the same BMI can have very different body shapes. ABSI picks up on this by using your waist measurement, as that's where the most harmful fat accumulates.
The calculator gives you a z-score, which compares you to other people of your age and sex.
What is A Body Shape Index?
ABSI was developed in 2012 as a way of measuring the risk from abdominal fat that isn't reflected in your BMI. People with a large waist but a normal BMI are at higher risk than their BMI might suggest.
Studies have shown that ABSI is a better predictor of health issues than BMI alone, because it incorporates information about body shape, rather than just your size.
Understanding Your Z-Score
Your z-score tells you how your ABSI compares to the average for people of your age and sex. A negative z-score is lower risk, 0 is average risk, and a positive z-score is higher risk.
| Z-Score Range | Risk Category | Mortality Risk |
|---|---|---|
| z < -0.868 | Very Low Risk | Below average mortality risk |
| -0.868 to -0.272 | Low Risk | Lower than average mortality risk |
| -0.272 to +0.229 | Average Risk | Average mortality risk |
| +0.229 to +0.798 | High Risk | Elevated mortality risk |
| z ≥ +0.798 | Very High Risk | Significantly elevated mortality risk |
For a more complete picture, try our BMI calculator and Body Roundness Index calculator as well.