"Body Mass Index is a Big Mad-up Interpretative lie. The gospel according to Charlotte Young Bowens, founder of Conscious Gear, the outdoor brand all about celebrating and empowering bigger bodies in the outdoors."

Where to start?

The scientific nerd in me has discovered that BMI was first introduced in the early 19th century by a Belgian mathematician named Adolphe Quetelet. Quetelet developed the concept of BMI as a way to measure the average weight of a population and to identify trends in weight and health. Average weight? Interesting …

Based on this mathematician's work and despite the fact that he had no medical background, in the 1970s, the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted BMI as a measure of obesity and established standard BMI categories to define underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity. More compelling about this standardization is the fact that these categories are based on statistical norms and are intended to identify trends in weight and health within a population.

I’m cool with the statistical norm but this started in the 1970s, what about the 2020s? More recently researchers discovered that about 70% of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese, based on the latest NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Surve) data. And this information is based on the statistical norms from the 1970s, does anyone see a problem with this, or is it just me?

And who am I to question all of this? Well, I did graduate with a degree majoring in mathematics and biochemistry, so forgive me if this information seems a bit suspect.

Plus size fitness and health

Bigger Bodies Are The New Norm

How can 70% of US adults be overweight or obese and that be consistent with an old statistical norm? What it sounds like to me, is perhaps bigger bodies (the overweight and obese) are the new statistical norm. Moreover, the collection of data on height, weight, and other health-related measures from a representative sample of the U.S. population are obviously not sufficient. Especially when this data is used to calculate body mass index (BMI), which is a measure of body fat that is calculated using an individual’s weight and height.

One limitation of BMI (and there are many) is that it does not take into account differences in muscle mass, bone density, and distribution of fat, which can all affect an individual’s weight. This means that someone with a high BMI may not necessarily be unhealthy or at higher risk for certain health problems, and someone with a low BMI may not necessarily be healthy or at lower risk.

In addition, BMI categories are based on statistical norms and neglect to take into account individual differences. This means that someone may be classified as overweight or obese based on their BMI, even if they are fit and healthy.

Why BMI might be a big fat lie

Honestly, I’m not sure if BMI can be a useful tool for assessing weight and overall health. In fact, it should never be used as the sole measure of health or fitness. It is important to consider other factors, such as body composition, physical activity levels, and overall health, when assessing an individual’s weight and overall health.

Ten Myths about BMI

Myth #1: BMI is an accurate measure of body fat.

BMI is a useful tool for assessing weight and overall health, but it has limitations and should not be used as the sole measure of body fat or overall health. BMI does not take into account differences in muscle mass, bone density, and distribution of fat, which can all affect an individual’s weight. This means that someone with a high BMI may not necessarily have a high amount of body fat, and someone with a low BMI may not necessarily have a low amount of body fat.

Myth #2: A high BMI means you are unhealthy.

While a high BMI may be associated with an increased risk for certain health problems, it is not necessarily a reliable indicator of overall health. There are many factors that contribute to an individual’s health, including body composition, physical activity levels, diet, and genetics. It is important to consider all of these factors when assessing an individual’s overall health, rather than relying solely on BMI.

Myth #3: A low BMI means you are healthy.

Similarly, a low BMI does not necessarily mean that an individual is healthy. While a low BMI may be associated with a lower risk for certain health problems, it is not necessarily a reliable indicator of overall health. It is important to consider other factors, such as body composition, physical activity levels, and overall health, when assessing an individual’s weight and overall health.

Myth #4: BMI categories are accurate for everyone.

BMI categories are based on statistical norms and are intended to identify trends in weight and health within a population. However, they do not take into account individual differences and may not accurately reflect an individual’s body fat or overall health.

For example, someone with a high muscle mass may have a higher BMI, but may not have a high amount of body fat and maybe healthy at that weight. Similarly, someone with a low BMI may have a low amount of body fat, but may not be healthy due to other factors, such as poor diet or a lack of physical activity.

Myth #5: BMI is a reliable indicator of athletic performance.

BMI is not a reliable indicator of athletic performance, as it does not take into account differences in muscle mass, bone density, and other factors that can affect athletic ability. While some research suggests that a high BMI may be associated with a lower level of athletic performance, this is not always the case. Many athletes, particularly those in sports that require strength or power, may have a higher BMI due to a higher muscle mass.

Myth #6: You can’t be healthy if you are overweight or obese.

It is possible to be healthy at any weight, including if you are overweight or obese. While being overweight or obese may be associated with an increased risk for certain health problems, there are many factors that contribute to an individual’s health, including body composition, physical activity levels, diet, and genetics. It is important to consider all of these factors when assessing an individual’s overall health, rather than relying solely on BMI.

Myth #7: You can’t be overweight or obese if you don’t look it.

It is possible to be overweight or obese and not appear so, particularly if you have a high muscle mass or a large bone structure. This is why it is important to use a measure of body fat, such as BMI, rather than relying solely on appearance when assessing an individual’s weight and overall health.

Myth #8: You can’t be healthy if your underweight

While being underweight may be associated with an increased risk for certain health problems, it is not necessarily an indicator of poor health. Some people may be naturally thin or may have a high metabolism, and may be perfectly healthy at a lower weight. It is important to consider other factors, such as body composition, physical activity levels, and overall health, when assessing an individual’s weight and overall health.

However, it is important to note that being underweight can also be a sign of an underlying health issue, such as an eating disorder or a medical condition. If you are underweight and have concerns about your health, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and guidance.

Do me a favor, throw out your BMI number, and consider assessing your overall health based on current realistic measurements and considerations. Truth is that doctors are no longer the Gods we once considered them because they don’t spend enough time with patients to truly know who they are in a holistic way. Doctors are way too dependent on health measurements that do not provide a complete picture of an individual’s health and may not accurately reflect overall health. Finally, humans are way too complex, and medical knowledge is way too limiting. If BMI is a partial truth then in actuality it is a lie, our society deserves better than that and we won’t be brainwashed by acronyms that do more harm than good.