Research & Resources
Every claim.
Every source. Every paper.
Every formula, scoring model and cutoff on DialFit is sourced from peer-reviewed research.
This page lists every source — so you never have to take our word for it.
47+
Citations
19
Tools Sourced
3
Food Databases
8
Medical Bodies
What peer-reviewed means
Why the source
matters as much as the result.
Not all health information is equal. Peer-reviewed research has been independently verified by other scientists before publication — it is the gold standard for medical and nutritional science. Here is what that means in plain language.
Independently verified
Before a paper is published in a medical journal, other scientists who were not involved in the study review it, challenge it, and confirm the findings. This process removes errors and bias.
Tested on real populations
The formulas DialFit uses were validated on large human populations — not computer models. The IDRS diabetes score, for example, was tested across 26,000+ Indians before being published.
Replicated over time
The most trusted research has been confirmed by multiple independent studies. The Mifflin-St Jeor BMR formula, published in 1990, has been validated as the most accurate by studies in 2005, 2010 and beyond.
Research by tool
The science behind
every calculator.
Click any citation to read the original paper. All PubMed sources are freely accessible — no subscription required.
1
WHO Expert Consultation — Appropriate Body-Mass Index for Asian Populations
Establishes the Asian BMI cutoffs used by DialFit — overweight at 23+, obese at 27.5+. South Asians carry significantly higher metabolic risk at lower BMI compared to Western populations.
Read on PubMed
2
Indian BMI Cut-off Study — Obesity and Related Risk Factors Among Indians
Indian-specific validation confirming that metabolic complications appear at lower BMI values in the Indian population compared to Western standards.
Read on PMC
3
WHO Obesity and Overweight Fact Sheet
Global WHO classification framework for BMI categories — used as the international reference standard alongside Indian cutoffs.
Read on WHO
4
CDC BMI Categories for Adults
Western BMI classification reference (overweight 25+, obese 30+) — shown alongside Indian cutoffs so users from any country can compare both standards.
Read on CDC
1
A New Predictive Equation for Resting Energy Expenditure in Healthy Individuals
The original Mifflin-St Jeor equation — the primary BMR formula used by DialFit. Derived from 498 healthy adults across a range of body weights and ages.
Read on PubMed
2
Comparison of Predictive Equations for Resting Metabolic Rate — Mifflin Most Accurate
Head-to-head comparison of all major BMR equations. Confirmed Mifflin-St Jeor as the most accurate for non-obese adults, within ±10% for the majority of the population.
Read on PubMed
1
Indian Diabetes Risk Score — A Simple Tool to Identify Undiagnosed Diabetes
The original IDRS paper — developed and validated by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation specifically for the Indian population. The primary scoring model in DialFit's diabetes risk checker.
Read on PubMed
2
National Validation of IDRS — INDIAB Study 2023
National-scale validation of the IDRS across India — confirming its accuracy as a screening tool for undiagnosed diabetes across diverse Indian populations.
Read on PubMed
3
Homeostasis Model Assessment — Insulin Resistance and Beta Cell Function
The original HOMA-IR formula — used when fasting insulin and blood glucose values are entered. Fasting insulin ÷ 22.5 × fasting glucose (mmol/L).
Read on PubMed
1
Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to PCOS
The gold-standard Rotterdam Criteria — requires 2 of 3 features: irregular ovulation, clinical/biochemical hyperandrogenism, or polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. The primary diagnostic framework in DialFit's PCOS tool.
Read on PubMed
2
PCOS Prevalence and Phenotypes in Indian Women
Indian-specific PCOS prevalence data — confirming that PCOS affects 9.13–36% of Indian women, with insulin resistance as a dominant feature in Indian phenotypes.
Read on PubMed
1
American Thyroid Association Guidelines for Hypothyroidism in Adults
Primary clinical guidelines used for hypothyroid symptom scoring. Establishes which symptoms are most predictive of thyroid dysfunction and appropriate TSH thresholds.
Read on PubMed
2
Thyroid Disorders Prevalence in India — A Systematic Review
Establishes that thyroid disorders affect approximately 42 million Indians — making thyroid screening one of the most high-impact tools for the Indian population.
Read on PMC
1
Age-Predicted Maximal Heart Rate Revisited — Tanaka Formula
Validated max heart rate formula: 208 − (0.7 × age). More accurate than the traditional 220 − age, especially for older adults and trained athletes.
Read on PubMed
2
The Karvonen Method — Heart Rate Reserve for Exercise Intensity
The Heart Rate Reserve method used to calculate personalised training zones. Target HR = ((Max HR − Resting HR) × intensity%) + Resting HR.
Read on PubMed
3
AHA Target Heart Rates — American Heart Association
AHA target heart rate zone guidelines used as the western clinical reference for cardiovascular exercise intensity — applicable globally.
Read on AHA
1
National Sleep Foundation — Sleep Duration Recommendations
Establishes recommended sleep durations by age group — the reference standard for DialFit's sleep duration guidance.
Read on PubMed
2
Short Sleep Duration and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Confirms the metabolic impact of insufficient sleep — particularly relevant for Indian users managing diabetes and pre-diabetes risk alongside sleep habits.
Read on PMC
3
Sleep Duration Recommendations — Sleep Foundation
Western reference for sleep duration recommendations by age — used as a supplementary source alongside the NSF guidelines for global users.
Read on Sleep Foundation
1
A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of the Effect of Protein Supplementation on Resistance Training-Induced Gains in Muscle Mass
49-study meta-analysis establishing 1.62g/kg as the optimal protein intake for muscle gain. The primary reference for DialFit's athlete and muscle-gain protein targets.
Read on PubMed
2
India Protein Deficiency — 73% of Indians Protein Deficient
Indian-specific data establishing the scale of protein deficiency — the motivation for including protein tracking as a core DialFit tool.
Read on PubMed
3
ISSN Position Stand — Protein and Exercise
Western sports nutrition consensus on protein requirements for athletes and active adults — used as the global reference alongside Morton 2017.
Read on PubMed
1
International Tables of Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Values 2021
The most comprehensive and up-to-date GI reference tables — used as the primary source for GI values in the DialFit food database.
Read on PubMed
2
Glycemic Index as a Clinical Tool — Jenkins 2002
Establishes the clinical utility of glycemic index and glycemic load as dietary tools for managing diabetes, PCOS and weight.
Read on PubMed
Food & nutrition databases
Where the food data
comes from.
DialFit's 9,113-food database is built from three primary sources — one Indian, one international, one specialised for glycemic data.
IFCT 2017
Indian Food Composition Tables — published by ICMR-NIN. The most comprehensive database of Indian food nutritional values ever compiled.
Indian foods
ICMR-NIN
2017
Visit ICMR-NIN
USDA SR Legacy
US Department of Agriculture Standard Reference Legacy database — the international gold standard for food nutritional composition data.
Global foods
USDA
SR Legacy
Visit USDA FDC
University of Sydney GI Database
The world's most comprehensive glycemic index database — maintained by the University of Sydney and used globally for clinical and research purposes.
GI values
Sydney Uni
Peer-reviewed
Visit GI Database
Medical guidelines followed
The institutions whose standards
govern every cutoff.
DialFit does not invent cutoffs or thresholds. Every risk category, every classification, every recommended range is sourced from internationally recognised medical bodies.
WHO — World Health Organization
BMI classification, Asian cutoffs, CVD risk, diabetes fact sheets, healthy diet guidelines, obesity standards.
Global · Geneva
ICMR — Indian Council of Medical Research
Indian dietary guidelines, recommended dietary allowances, food composition tables, Indian-specific disease data.
India · New Delhi
MDRF — Madras Diabetes Research Foundation
Developed and validated the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) — the scoring model behind the Diabetes Risk Checker.
India · Chennai
ATA — American Thyroid Association
Clinical guidelines for hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's — used in the Thyroid Health Quiz scoring model.
International · Alexandria, VA
AHA — American Heart Association
Target heart rate zones, exercise intensity guidelines, cardiovascular risk — referenced in the Heart Rate Calculator.
International · Dallas, TX
NSF — National Sleep Foundation
Sleep duration recommendations by age group — the primary reference for the Sleep Calculator's optimal, good and minimum ranges.
International · Washington, DC
ESHRE/ASRM — Rotterdam Criteria
International consensus on PCOS diagnostic criteria — the Rotterdam Criteria framework used in the PCOS Analyzer.
International · 2003 Consensus
ISSN — International Society of Sports Nutrition
Protein intake recommendations for athletes, active adults and weight loss — referenced alongside Morton 2017 in the Protein Calculator.
International · Position Stand 2017
EFSA — European Food Safety Authority
Water intake dietary reference values — used as the European and western reference for hydration recommendations in the Water Intake Calculator.
Europe · Parma, Italy · 2010
IDF — International Diabetes Federation
Global diabetes atlas — India has 101 million diabetics, the world's largest diabetic population. Referenced in the Diabetes Risk Checker context.
Global · Brussels · Diabetes Atlas 2021
ACSM — American College of Sports Medicine
Exercise intensity and physical activity guidelines — referenced for activity multipliers in the TDEE calculator and heart rate zone classifications.
International · Indianapolis, IN · 2018
Honest disclaimer
DialFit uses published, peer-reviewed research and internationally recognised medical guidelines. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or funded by any of the institutions cited on this page — WHO, ICMR, MDRF, ATA, AHA, NSF, ESHRE, ISSN, USDA or the University of Sydney.
DialFit's tools are screening aids and educational resources — not clinical diagnostic instruments. Results should be used as a starting point for understanding your health, not as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor before acting on any health information.
All external links open the original source material. DialFit does not control, maintain or profit from any external website linked on this page.