Logo image
Back
National Reference Values of FFMI and FMI Using Body Composition Chart in Korean Adults
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

National Reference Values of FFMI and FMI Using Body Composition Chart in Korean Adults

Hyeoijin Kim, Yong Hee Hong, Young Charles Jang, Youngil Lee, Jae Young Lee, Seon Ho Eom, Sochung Chung and Chul-Hyun Kim
Nutrients, Vol.18(8), p.1170
04/08/2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18081170
PMID: 42074983
Web of Science ID: WOS:001751338700001

Metrics

1 Record Views

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Body mass index (BMI) cannot distinguish fat mass (FM) from fat-free mass (FFM). The fat-free mass index (FFMI = FFM/height2) and fat mass index (FMI = FM/height2) decompose BMI into lean and fat components. We aimed to establish the first nationally representative, BIA-based FFMI and FMI reference values for Korean adults, visualize body composition trajectories, and classify obesity subtypes using the body composition chart. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 10,140 participants (4508 men, 5632 women; aged 10–80 years) from KNHANES IX (2022–2023) were analyzed. Multifrequency BIA (InBody 970) measured FFM and FM. Obesity subtypes (%BF ≥ 25% men, ≥35% women) were classified as underlean (FFMI < P5), proportional (P5–P95), or heavy (>P95) relative to an 18–59-year-old reference. Results: In men, FFMI peaked at 19.1 kg/m2 (30–49 years), declining 9.7% by 70–80 years, while FMI remained stable. In women, FMI increased 44% with stable FFMI. Underlean obesity in men rose from 0.7% (30–39 years) to 17.4% (70–80 years), undetected by BMI or waist circumference. Conclusions: These reference values and body composition chart provide practical tools for identifying underlean obesity and assessing body composition beyond BMI in Korean adults.
url
National Reference Values of FFMI and FMI Using Body Composition Chart in Korean AdultsView
Published (Version of record) link to article Open CC BY V4.0

Related links

Details

Logo image