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]
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.
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]
The Body Volume Index is a proposed alternative to the Body Mass Index (BMI). The BMI is used as an indicator for weight problems such as being overweight or underweight. The BMI puts a persons total weight in relation to their height. This measure does not take into account where on the body the mass is located. Recent studies have shown the limitations of BMI as an indicator of individual health risk.[1][2]
The BVI was made in 2000 as an alternative to the BMI. With the data, a computer should be able to check whether a person is obese. The BVI measures the BMI, the circumference of the waist, and the waist-hip-ratio.
The BVI is used on a 3D full body sscanner to determine the health risk of the person scanned. Using the scanner, the BVI can differentiate between people with the same BMI, but with a different shape or weight distribution. The BVI is currently being tested in different hospitals in the US and Europe; a two-year project was started to see whether it would be as useful as the BMI.[3][4]
The BMI can be measured manually, usining the heiht and weight of a person. The BVI is calculated automatically based on data from the 3D scanner. The total weight or total fat content are not used. Scienmtific studies showed that fat content of the abdomen, and "mass" around it pose a greater health risk.[5] This fact is commonly known as central obesity. A full 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.[6]
Most body scanners take a number of images from different angles. Different lighting as well as patterns projected onto the body are used to determine the body shape and the distribution of the weight in the body of the patient.
| This article belongs in one or more categories. Please add a category to this article to list it with other pages about similar things. Tagged since October 2010 |
  | "Location, not volume, of fat found to be key" - Location, not volume, of fat found to be key |
| | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16920472?dopt=AbstractPlus"Association">of bodyweight with total mortality and with cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease: a systematic review of cohort studies." - Association of bodyweight with total mortality and...[Lancet. 2006] - PubMed Result |
| | Body volume index: time to replace body mass index? - Body volume index: time to replace body mass index? |
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