# ABSI Calculator

Created by Joanna Michałowska, PhD candidate
Reviewed by Dominik Czernia, PhD, Jack Bowater and Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate
Based on research by
Krakauer NY, Krakauer JC. A new body shape index predicts mortality hazard independently of body mass index. PLoS One (July 2012)
Last updated: Feb 02, 2023

The ABSI calculator estimates the risk of premature mortality based on the A Body Shape Index (ABSI). The ABSI formula requires only a few variables: age, sex, body height, body mass, and waist circumference.

The inclusion of the last measurement makes ABSI a better indicator of risk of mortality from excessive weight than the standard body mass index (BMI). Read the article below to find out more about the A Body Shape Index pros and cons and the ABSI formula! 🤓

## A Body Shape Index (ABSI)

The A Body Shape Index has been developed by . The aim of the authors was to develop a formula that is based on waist circumference and is approximately independent (less dependent) of height, weight, and BMI. They have developed the A Body Shape Index that includes five variables:

• Sex;
• Age;
• Weight;
• Height; and
• Waist circumference.

🙋 If you are interested in the more known BMI, visit our BMI calculator: with a few inputs and no time at all, you be able to calculate its value!

## A Body Shape Index formula - ABSI formula and ABSI z score:

#### 1.

We present the ABSI formula below:

$\mathrm{ABSI}=\frac{\mathrm{WC}}{\mathrm{BMI}^{\frac{2}{3}}\times\mathrm{height}^{\frac{1}{2}}},$

where:

• $\mathrm{WC}$ – The waist circumference, expressed in $\mathrm{m}$;

• $\mathrm{height}$ – Expressed in $\mathrm{m}$; and

• $\mathrm{BMI}$ – Expressed in $\mathrm{kg}/\mathrm{m^2}$, and is calculated using the following formula:

$\qquad \mathrm{BMI}=\frac{\mathrm{weight}}{\mathrm{height}^2}$

#### 2.

To estimate the risk of premature mortality, we can calculate the ABSI z score as follows:

$\mathrm{ABSI}_{\text{z score}}\! =\! \frac{\mathrm{ABSI}-\mathrm{ABSI}_{\text{mean}}}{\mathrm{ABSI}_{\text{SD}}}$

where:

• $\mathrm{ABSI}_{\text{z score}}$ – Calculated based on the mean and standard deviations of ABSI calculated for the given age and sex;

• $\mathrm{ABSI}_{\text{mean}}$ – The mean ABSI for the chosen age and sex; and

• $\mathrm{ABSI}_{\text{SD}}$ – The standard deviation of the calculated ABSI for the chosen age and sex.

This calculator uses the gets its mean and standard deviation data for each age and sex bracket from .

Based on the ABSI z score, the results are classified into five premature mortality risk levels:

$\boldsymbol{\mathrm{ABSI}_{\text{z\ score}}}$

Mortality risk

$<-0.868$

Very low

$-0.868$ - $-0.272$

Low

$-0.272$ - $+0.229$

Average

$+0.229$ - $0.798$

High

$>0.798$

Very high

🙋 Our BAI calculator will explain to you another index used to calculate your fitness: the body adiposity index.

## How to use A Body Shape Index (ABSI) calculator?

Using the ABSI calculator is very easy – just follow these steps:

2. Enter your age (the values must range from 2 to 85 years).
3. Enter your height. Don't worry about the units – our ABSI calculator has a built-in length converter.
5. Input your waist circumference. It should be measured horizontally around the waist, at the level of your belly button.

That's all! In the "Results" section, you will be able to see your ABSI score, ABSI z score, and the interpretation of your result.

## A Body Shape Index – pros and cons

The higher the ABSI, the higher the proportion of abdominal fat compared to other body parts. ABSI correlates only slightly with height, weight, and BMI, indicating that it is independent of other anthropometric variables in predicting mortality. It can also predict the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.

However, the risk calculated with the ABSI score is based only on the body model. Other factors that influence life expectancy (e.g., other illnesses) are not taken into account. We created our diabetes risk calculator and CVD risk calculator to give you a more comprehensive model to calculate those risks.

Joanna Michałowska, PhD candidate
Sex
Male
Age
years
Height
ft
Weight
lb
Waist circumference
in
Results
ABSI
ABSI z-score
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