Associations of Fitness, Fatness Indices and Fit–Fat Index Variants With Cardiovascular and All‐Cause Mortality in Men
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Fit–Fat Index (FFI), defined as the ratio of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) to waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR), combines measures of fitness and fatness, and may offer a more accurate assessment of cardiometabolic risk than either component alone. The prospective associations of CRF, fatness indices, and mortality were examined. Methods CRF and fatness indices (body mass index [BMI], waist‐to‐hip ratio [WHR], and WHtR) were assessed in 1089 men aged 42–61 years. FFI variants (FFI BMI , FFI WHR , and FFI WHtR ) were calculated by dividing CRF by each corresponding fatness measure. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and risk prediction metrics were estimated. Results Over a median follow‐up of 31.2 years, 288 CVD deaths and 695 all‐cause deaths were recorded. After multivariable adjustment, the HR (95% CI) for CVD death per 1 SD increase was 0.81 (0.70–0.93) for CRF, 1.09 (0.96–1.23) for BMI, 1.13 (1.02–1.25) for WHR, 1.13 (0.99–1.30) for WHtR, 0.82 (0.71–0.95) for FFI BMI , 0.78 (0.68–0.91) for FFI WHR , and 0.80 (0.69–0.93) for FFI WHtR . Findings were similar for all‐cause mortality. Addition of CRF and FFI variants to a model containing established risk factors significantly improved CVD mortality risk prediction and reclassification ( p ‐value for all < 0.05). Conclusions Combining aerobic fitness and fatness into FFI measures may provide better risk stratification than either aerobic fitness or fatness alone.
Source: Obesity Science & Practice
DOI: 10.1002/osp4.70108
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,260
Funder: Itä-Suomen Yliopisto
OpenAlex ID: W7118336148