New flaws with the Body Mass Index as a health measurement have been revealed

A new study by Otago University and Dunedin Hospital's HeartOtago has found BMI isn't an accurate obesity test for Maori and Pacific people.

Lead researcher Dr Sean Coffey says they tested fat levels around the heart - which have a strong link with heart attacks and other cardiac issues.

He says they found while there was a correlation with BMI for Europeans - there was none at all for Maori or Pasifika.