Correlation of Fat Mass Index and Fat-Free Mass Index with percentage body fat and their association with hypertension among urban South Indian adult men and women

BACKGROUND: The assessment of Fat Mass and Fat-Free Mass indices provides valuable information about changes in body composition. AIM: To identify cut-off points for Fat Mass Index (FMI) to predict an upper limit of percentage body fat of men (25%) and women (30%) for defining obesity and its association with hypertension. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 436 men and 596 women were included in the study. Fat mass was calculated using skin-fold measurements. FMI cut-off points to predict an upper limit of percentage body fat of 25% (men) and 30% (women) for defining obesity were assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: ROC curve analysis indicated that the level of FMI was 6.59 kg/m(2) in men and 6.64 kg/m(2) in women at 25% and 30% body fat, respectively. Risk estimation for hypertension with FMI indicated high risk of hypertension in men (OR: 3.4, CI: 2.1-5.5) as well as in women (OR: 5.3, CI: 2.3-12.4). CONCLUSION: The level of FMI was 6.6 kg/m(2) in men and women predicted at upper limits of 25% and 30% body fat, respectively, for defining obesity.