Optimal Body Mass Index (BMI) cut-offs associated with cardiometabolic risks in Arab and Middle Eastern populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
This study demonstrates that lower BMI thresholds are associated with cardiometabolic risks in Arab and Middle Eastern populations compared to global reports. Findings support the need for region-specific BMI cut-off guidelines and public health interventions targeting early diagnosis and management.
Study context
- Population
- Arab and Middle Eastern populations; observational and experimental studies of BMI thresholds linked to cardiometabolic outcomes (Diabetes Mellitus (DM), hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), metabolic syndrome); Medline and Embase
- Participants
- 677,587 participants55 studies
- Outcome
- Optimal BMI cut-offs associated with cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality
Methodological detailsrandom-effects models, subgroup and sensitivity analyses, PRISMA
- Random-effects models
- Subgroup and sensitivity analyses
- PRISMA
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Optimal BMI cut-offs
Range of optimal BMI cut-offs
26.22 to 27.45 kg/m²
BMI threshold for DM
27.39 kg/m²
95% CI 26.70–28.09
BMI threshold for hypertension
27.00 kg/m²
BMI threshold for metabolic syndrome
27.45 kg/m²
Further pooled results
Gender differences in BMI cut-offs
- Females showed higher BMI cut-offs than males
Diagnostic performance of cut-offs
- Sensitivity and specificity of cut-offs were moderate
Publication bias
- Publication bias minimal for most outcomes, except dyslipidemia
Original publication
Optimal BMI cut-offs associated with cardiometabolic risks in Arab and Middle Eastern populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 25 November 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →