Introduction: Women are more likely to be overweight and obese, which can affect reproductive health and pregnancy. Many are unaware of this condition, often because of busy lifestyles that limit exercise, rest, and healthy eating.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between body fat percentage, visceral fat, cell age, and basal metabolic rate (BMR) with body mass index (BMI) as an initial screening tool for overweight and obesity.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design and a sampling technique with consecutive sampling. The study was conducted on adult women with an age range 19-27 years which is the period between early adulthood and productive age. The subject measurement location was centred on the Yapenas 21 Maros Nursing Academy, Adatongeng, Turikale District, Maros Regency. South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The total final sample obtained was 105 subjects.
Results: The data collected in this study consisted of anthropometric and body composition measurements. Body Mass Index (BMI) was manually calculated using the standard formula, whereas body composition parameters including body fat percentage, visceral fat, cellular age, and basal metabolic rate (BMR were obtained using a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) device. The BIA method estimates these values based on the body’s electrical conductivity in combination with demographic factors such as age, sex, height, and weight. Spearman Rho correlation tests showed significant correlations (p<0.05), with strong positive correlations for body fat (r=0.724), visceral fat (r=0.941), cell age (r=0.949), and BMR (r=0.898) with BMI.
Conclusion: Higher values of body fat percentage, visceral fat, cell age, and BMR corresponded to a higher BMI. Therefore, BMI is thus a relevant predictor of metabolic health. Positive lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a healthy diet can prevent metabolic-related diseases.