title: Fuzzy obesity index (MAFOI) for obesity evaluation and bariatric surgery indication.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Miyahira-Araujo Fuzzy Obesity Index (MAFOI) for being used as an alternative in bariatric surgery indication (BSI) is validated in this paper. The search for a more accurate method to evaluate obesity and to indicate a better treatment is important in the world health context. Body mass index (BMI) is considered the main criteria for obesity treatment and BSI. Nevertheless, the fat excess related to the percentage of Body Fat (%BF) is actually the principal harmful factor in obesity disease that is usually neglected. The aim of this research is to validate a previous fuzzy mechanism by associating BMI with %BF that yields the Miyahira-Araujo Fuzzy Obesity Index (MAFOI) for obesity evaluation, classification, analysis, treatment, as well for better indication of surgical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two patients were evaluated for both BMI and %BF. The BMI and %BF classes are aggregated yielding a new index (MAFOI). The input linguistic variables are the BMI and %BF, and the output linguistic variable is employed an obesity classification with entirely new types of obesity in the fuzzy context, being used for BSI, as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is gradual and smooth obesity classification and BSI criteria when using the Miyahira-Araujo Fuzzy Obesity Index (MAFOI), mainly if compared to BMI or %BF alone for dealing with obesity assessment, analysis, and treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The resulting fuzzy decision support system (MAFOI) becomes a feasible alternative for obesity classification and bariatric surgery indication.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil, R, Botucatu 740 - São Paulo, SP, CEP 04023-900, Brazil. susana_miyahira@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Susana Abe
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Miyahira
authors.forename: João Luiz Moreira Coutinho
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Araújo
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic