Non-linear associations and threshold effects of BRI, CI, and WHtR with grip strength in U. S. adults aged ≥20 years: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMuscle strength is strongly associated with various physiological functions and health risks, with grip strength serving as a key indicator for its assessment. Currently, the relationship between novel obesity indices [Body Roundness Index (BRI), Conicity Index (CI), and waist-to-height ra...

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Main Authors: Sijia Yang, Kun Liao, Lu Zhou, Shengbo Zhang, Jianchao Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1597065/full
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author Sijia Yang
Kun Liao
Lu Zhou
Shengbo Zhang
Jianchao Wu
author_facet Sijia Yang
Kun Liao
Lu Zhou
Shengbo Zhang
Jianchao Wu
author_sort Sijia Yang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundMuscle strength is strongly associated with various physiological functions and health risks, with grip strength serving as a key indicator for its assessment. Currently, the relationship between novel obesity indices [Body Roundness Index (BRI), Conicity Index (CI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)] and grip strength remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the non-linear/threshold relationships between BRI, CI, WHtR, and grip strength.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was adopted to analyze the data of 9,356 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2011 and 2014. Researchers measured grip strength and calculated BRI, CI, and WHtR, while controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, and other covariates. Statistical analyses included linear regression, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect models to evaluate non-linear/threshold relationships. The significance level was set at a p < 0.05, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.ResultsBRI, CI, and WHtR exhibited significant non-linear associations with grip strength. For BRI, values below 3.55 exhibited a strong positive effect on grip strength (β = 3.60, 95% CIs: 2.81–4.39), with weakened but persistent positive effects above this threshold (β = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.39). WHtR demonstrated a similar pattern, with a threshold set at 0.51: β = 62.46 (48.36–76.55) below and β = 6.47 (2.85–10.08) above. CI showed an inverted U-shaped relationship, shifting from positive (β = 15.87, 7.85–23.90) to negative (β = −9.98, −14.98 to −4.98, p < 0.01) at a threshold of 1.27.ConclusionIn U. S. adults, BRI, CI, and WHtR exhibited non-linear and threshold-dependent associations with grip strength, suggesting that these indices can help refine the assessment of muscle strength. The findings indicate that integrating these indices could enhance the accuracy of risk stratification for muscle dysfunction, particularly in individuals with central obesity. Longitudinal studies are needed to further validate the causal relationships underlying these associations.
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spelling doaj-art-face2b6da8a84dff8c5fea7b1f1e50f72025-08-20T02:40:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-06-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15970651597065Non-linear associations and threshold effects of BRI, CI, and WHtR with grip strength in U. S. adults aged ≥20 years: a cross-sectional studySijia Yang0Kun Liao1Lu Zhou2Shengbo Zhang3Jianchao Wu4Department of Thyroid Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (The Affiliated Hospital of Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Zhuhai, ChinaDepartment of Breast Surgery Ward, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (The Affiliated Hospital of Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Zhuhai, ChinaZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People’s Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Beijing Institute of Technology), Guangzhou, ChinaZhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University (Zhuhai People’s Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Beijing Institute of Technology), Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Thyroid Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Zhuhai People’s Hospital (The Affiliated Hospital of Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai Clinical Medical College of Jinan University), Zhuhai, ChinaBackgroundMuscle strength is strongly associated with various physiological functions and health risks, with grip strength serving as a key indicator for its assessment. Currently, the relationship between novel obesity indices [Body Roundness Index (BRI), Conicity Index (CI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)] and grip strength remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the non-linear/threshold relationships between BRI, CI, WHtR, and grip strength.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was adopted to analyze the data of 9,356 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2011 and 2014. Researchers measured grip strength and calculated BRI, CI, and WHtR, while controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, and other covariates. Statistical analyses included linear regression, smooth curve fitting, and threshold effect models to evaluate non-linear/threshold relationships. The significance level was set at a p < 0.05, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.ResultsBRI, CI, and WHtR exhibited significant non-linear associations with grip strength. For BRI, values below 3.55 exhibited a strong positive effect on grip strength (β = 3.60, 95% CIs: 2.81–4.39), with weakened but persistent positive effects above this threshold (β = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.39). WHtR demonstrated a similar pattern, with a threshold set at 0.51: β = 62.46 (48.36–76.55) below and β = 6.47 (2.85–10.08) above. CI showed an inverted U-shaped relationship, shifting from positive (β = 15.87, 7.85–23.90) to negative (β = −9.98, −14.98 to −4.98, p < 0.01) at a threshold of 1.27.ConclusionIn U. S. adults, BRI, CI, and WHtR exhibited non-linear and threshold-dependent associations with grip strength, suggesting that these indices can help refine the assessment of muscle strength. The findings indicate that integrating these indices could enhance the accuracy of risk stratification for muscle dysfunction, particularly in individuals with central obesity. Longitudinal studies are needed to further validate the causal relationships underlying these associations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1597065/fullcross-sectional studybody measuresobesityNHANESmuscle strength
spellingShingle Sijia Yang
Kun Liao
Lu Zhou
Shengbo Zhang
Jianchao Wu
Non-linear associations and threshold effects of BRI, CI, and WHtR with grip strength in U. S. adults aged ≥20 years: a cross-sectional study
Frontiers in Nutrition
cross-sectional study
body measures
obesity
NHANES
muscle strength
title Non-linear associations and threshold effects of BRI, CI, and WHtR with grip strength in U. S. adults aged ≥20 years: a cross-sectional study
title_full Non-linear associations and threshold effects of BRI, CI, and WHtR with grip strength in U. S. adults aged ≥20 years: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Non-linear associations and threshold effects of BRI, CI, and WHtR with grip strength in U. S. adults aged ≥20 years: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Non-linear associations and threshold effects of BRI, CI, and WHtR with grip strength in U. S. adults aged ≥20 years: a cross-sectional study
title_short Non-linear associations and threshold effects of BRI, CI, and WHtR with grip strength in U. S. adults aged ≥20 years: a cross-sectional study
title_sort non linear associations and threshold effects of bri ci and whtr with grip strength in u s adults aged ≥20 years a cross sectional study
topic cross-sectional study
body measures
obesity
NHANES
muscle strength
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1597065/full
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