Why BMI Isn’t the Best Indicator of Healthy Weight: Alternatives to Consider

Boston: A recent report is shaking up how we think about weight and health. It says that Body Mass Index (BMI) isn’t a good way to measure if someone is healthy. Instead, doctors should look at a person’s overall health.

The report, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, argues that just because someone has a high BMI doesn’t mean they’re unhealthy. It’s a big shift from the usual advice to just lose weight. The experts behind the report suggest that if someone’s weight is affecting their organs or daily life, that’s when they should be diagnosed with “clinical obesity.” If not, they should be labeled as having “preclinical obesity” and not treated for their weight.

The report also highlights that BMI is a pretty outdated measure. It was created in the 1800s and was never meant to assess health. It’s based on a narrow view of who it applies to, mainly white men, and doesn’t consider how body fat is distributed.

Instead of BMI, the report suggests looking at waist size or body fat percentage. For instance, a larger waist can indicate a higher risk of health issues. Women with waists over 35 inches and men over 40 inches are at greater risk for metabolic diseases.

So, if your doctor only talks about BMI, it might be worth asking them how it relates to your overall health. The report has been backed by many health organizations, showing a growing consensus that we need to rethink how we measure health.