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Expert groups

Anthropometry

Project goals

Obesity is considered a risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. A person’s obesity is measured in the body mass index (BMI). However, the BMI does not adequately capture the influence on the risk of disease. The German National Cohort (NAKO) therefore pursues a comprehensive approach with a wide range of measurement methods to describe body composition and fat distribution.

In addition to measuring body measurements such as height, weight and specific circumferences, the body composition (bioimpedance analysis) is determined and a sonography of the abdominal fat is carried out. Other methods include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and measurement using a body scanner.

Objectives

  • Planning and implementation of data collection with subsequent quality control
  • Expansion of existing measurement methods to include new approaches in epidemiological studies
  • Development of new perspectives between physical characteristics, their changes and the development of diseases of civilisation
  • Use of measurements that enable risk categorisation with “simple” means. One example is ultrasound of abdominal fat as a supplement to MRI
  • Research into the relationship between anthropometric measurements and nutritional status and fitness

 

First results

  • Regional differences in anthropometric measurements in Germany: Participants from the southern study centres tended to be smaller than those from the northern study centres. The highest BMI values were recorded by participants at the study centres in Neubrandenburg, Augsburg, Saarbrücken and Essen.
  • Obesity in Germany: An analysis of the BMI of 101,817 NAKO participants showed that 46.2 per cent of men and 29.7 per cent of women were overweight and 23.5 per cent of men and 21.2 per cent of women were obese. Low education, advanced age and unemployment were associated with an increased incidence of obesity.
  • Health status and anthropometrics: Based on the data from the baseline survey, it was shown that participants suffering from cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases have higher anthropometric values than healthy participants.

Publications

Stein MJ, Fischer B, Bohmann P, et al. Differences in anthropometric measures based on sex, age, and health status: Findings from the German National Cohort (NAKO). Deutsches Ärzteblatt international. April 2024. http://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.m2024.0016

Fischer B, Sedlmeier AM, Hartwig S, et al. Anthropometrische Messungen in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie – mehr als nur Größe und Gewicht. Bundesgesundheitsbl. 2020;63(3):290-300. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-020-03096-w

Dragano N, Reuter M, Greiser KH, et al. Soziodemografische und erwerbsbezogene Merkmale in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie. Bundesgesundheitsbl. 2020;63(3):267-278. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-020-03098-8

Speakers

Dr. Andreas Kühnapfel
Dr. Beate Fischer (Deputy Spokesperson)