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Top 10 Reasons Why The BMI Is Bogus

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Summary

This article gives an opinionated critique of the Body Mass Index (BMI) formula. It argues that the formula is outdated, scientifically nonsensical, physiologically wrong, and bad statistics. It also suggests that the BMI formula is being used to make money for insurance companies, keeps doctors from using more reliable methods, and is embarrassing for the US.

Q&As

What is the BMI formula?
BMI = weight in pounds/(height in inches x height in inches) x 703.

What are the CDC recommendations for the BMI?
Below 18.5 = Underweight. 18.5 to 24.9 = Ideal. 25.0 to 29.9 = Overweight. 30.0 and above = Obese.

What are the top 10 reasons why the BMI is bogus?
1. The person who dreamed up the BMI said explicitly that it could not and should not be used to indicate the level of fatness in an individual. 2. It is scientifically nonsensical. 3. It is physiologically wrong. 4. It gets the logic wrong. 5. It's bad statistics. 6. It is lying by scientific authority. 7. It suggests there are distinct categories of underweight, ideal, overweight and obese, with sharp boundaries that hinge on a decimal place. 8. It makes the more cynical members of society suspect that the medical insurance industry lobbies for the continued use of the BMI to keep their profits high. 9. Continued reliance on the BMI means doctors don't feel the need to use one of the more scientifically sound methods that are available to measure obesity levels. 10. It embarrasses the U.S.

What was the BMI originally used for?
The BMI was originally used to give a quick and easy way to measure the degree of obesity of the general population to assist the government in allocating resources.

What are the alternatives to the BMI for measuring obesity levels?
Alternatives to the BMI for measuring obesity levels include waist size, which is a clear indicator of obesity level, as well as more scientifically sound methods that cost a bit more but give far more reliable results.

AI Comments

👍 This article is a great breakdown of why the BMI is an outdated and unreliable method of measuring obesity levels. It provides a comprehensive list of reasons why people should look for more accurate methods of measuring obesity levels.

👎 This article is too long and not very well written. It contains too much jargon and does not explain the points in a concise and clear manner.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the BMI, or body mass index, and why it's not an accurate measure of a person's health. The article outlines 10 reasons why the BMI should not be used to measure a person's health.

Friend: Wow, that's really interesting. What are the implications of this article?

Me: Well, the main implication is that the BMI is not an accurate measure of a person's health. This means that health policies based on the BMI, such as insurance companies charging higher premiums for people with a high BMI, are not based on reliable data. It also means that doctors should use more reliable methods to measure obesity levels, such as skinfold calipers or bioimpedance scales. Finally, the article suggests that the U.S. should focus on developing more scientifically sound methods of measuring obesity and health rather than relying on outdated numerical hacks like the BMI.

Action items

Research alternative methods of measuring obesity levels.
Educate yourself on the dangers of relying on the BMI formula.
Advocate for the use of more reliable methods of measuring obesity levels in your community.

Technical terms

BMI: Body Mass Index. A measure of body fat based on height and weight that is used to determine if a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.
CDC Recommendations: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for BMI ranges.
Underweight: A BMI below 18.5.
Ideal: A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
Overweight: A BMI between 25.0 and 29.9.
Obese: A BMI of 30.0 or above.
Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet: The Belgian mathematician who introduced the BMI formula in the early 19th century.
Waist size: A measure of the circumference of the waist, which is a clear indicator of obesity level.
Muscle tone: The amount of muscle mass in the body.
Mathematical snake oil: A term used to describe a mathematical formula that is not reliable or accurate.
Premiums: The amount of money paid for an insurance policy.