N - CARDIOMETABOLIC

Clinicians may consider assessing individuals with SCI for obesity beginning at discharge from rehabilitation:

1. Where possible, measure body composition using 3- or 4-compartment models to report obesity in adults with SCI until validated, clinically appropriate equations become available. Classify adult men with >22% body fat and adult women with >35% body fat as obese and at high risk for cardiometabolic disease.
2. A body mass index (BMI) ≥22 kg/m2 is the cut-off point when used as a surrogate marker for obesity in individuals with SCI. Adult men and women with BMI ≥22 kg/m2 are at high risk for cardiometabolic disease. Test at least every three years following initial assessment when tests are normal in asymptomatic adults with SCI.