Why is ABSI used alongside BMI?

BMI uses only height and weight, while ABSI also includes waist circumference. Each metric has different uses and limitations: BMI is a simple population screening tool, while ABSI was designed for research on body shape and statistical risk information.

Does this calculator provide an ABSI Z-score?

No. This calculator reports the ABSI value only. Validated age- and sex-specific reference tables are not included, so it does not assign a personalized z-score or mortality-risk category.

How should I use an ABSI result?

Use ABSI as one waist-based context measure alongside BMI, waist-to-height ratio, body-fat estimates and professional assessment when needed. A single ABSI number should not be treated as a diagnosis.

ABSI Calculator: A Body Shape Index

Q: What is A Body Shape Index (ABSI)?

A Body Shape Index (ABSI) combines waist circumference with height and BMI. It was developed to study whether body shape adds statistical risk information beyond BMI. It does not directly measure visceral fat or diagnose an individual health risk.

ABSI combines waist circumference with height and BMI. It was developed to study whether body shape adds statistical risk information beyond BMI. It does not directly measure visceral fat or diagnose an individual health risk.

Calculate Your ABSI

Enter your age, gender, height, weight, and waist circumference to determine your ABSI and Z-score.

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The Science Behind A Body Shape Index (ABSI)

1. Why Waist Circumference Needs Scaling

Waist circumference naturally increases with body size. Taller, heavier individuals can have larger waistlines even when their overall body composition differs. Developed by Dr. Nir Krakauer and Dr. Jesse Krakauer, the ABSI formula scales waist circumference by BMI and height:

ABSI = Waist Circumference / ( BMI^(2/3) * Height^(1/2) )

In the original research, ABSI was evaluated as a population-level body-shape index. This calculator reports the formula output only and does not include validated age- and sex-specific reference tables.

2. What ABSI Does Not Measure

ABSI is not a body-fat test, imaging method or diagnosis. It cannot directly measure visceral fat, predict an individual's mortality or replace a clinical assessment. Treat it as an additional descriptive index, not a standalone health-risk label.

ABSI Result Interpretation

This calculator does not provide a personalized ABSI z-score because the required validated age- and sex-specific reference tables are not implemented.

Output	What It Means	Limitation
ABSI value	A waist, BMI and height-based body-shape index.	Not a direct body-fat or visceral-fat measurement.
BMI value	Shown for context because BMI is part of the ABSI formula.	BMI also has individual-level limitations.
No risk category	The calculator avoids personalized mortality-risk labeling.	Reference-table interpretation would require validated age- and sex-specific data.

How the Calculation Works

ABSI is calculated from the published Krakauer & Krakauer equation:

Krakauer & Krakauer (PLOS ONE, 2012): Introduced A Body Shape Index and studied whether the index added population-level mortality-hazard information beyond BMI.

Formula based on the published equation. Methodology reviewed by the Asterisks editorial team. Last content review: June 2025.

Last Updated: June 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Medical Disclaimer: A Body Shape Index (ABSI) is an epidemiological body-shape metric. This calculator does not provide a z-score, mortality-risk category or diagnostic medical evaluation. Full disclaimer →