Reassessing body mass index (BMI) thresholds for obesity: a population-based study in Turkish adults
Authors' conclusion
The current universal BMI cut-off points (≥30 kg/m²) may underestimate obesity prevalence in the Turkish population.
Study context
- Population
- Turkish adults aged 18–65 in four major districts of Kayseri; mean age 39.9 ± 13.3 years, 51.6% female
- Exposure
- Women vs Men
- Outcome
- Optimal BMI cut-off points for predicting obesity based on BF% (bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)), by ROC analysis
Methodological detailspopulation-based, ROC curve analysis
- Population-based
- ROC curve analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Optimal BMI cut-off for detecting obesity
| Group | Value | AUC |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 28.80 kg/m² | 0.98 |
| Men | 28.76 kg/m² | 0.91 |
Value
Women28.80 kg/m²
Men28.76 kg/m²
AUC
Women0.98
Men0.91
- Optimal BMI cut-off, total sample
- 28.76 kg/m²
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Correlation between BMI and BF% | 0.86 | 0.68 |
| p | p < 0.001 | p < 0.001 |
Obesity prevalence with new thresholds
- Obesity prevalence increased from 27.7% to 33.6% using new thresholds
Original publication
Reassessing BMI thresholds for obesity: a population-based study in Turkish adults. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 26 June 2026. doi:10.
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