While I've long been a critic of the BMI (Body Mass Index), I was still shocked to see my latest such score when stepping on the scale at a recent doctor's appointment. At 5'9'', I weighed 200 lbs., which translates to a BMI score of 30, and registers as borderline obese according to the BMI chart.
When looking at the increasingly popular waist-to-height ratio, as I have a 32'' waist, I registered at a 46.38, which is categorized as "healthy." Not only that, but my score was closer to "healthy slim" (42%) than "overweight" (53%). For one to be considered "obese," their ratio has to be at least 63%.
Lastly, I checked out a body fat calculator. My numbers resulted in a score of 10.99%, which is categorized as "athletes," less than half the percentage of what is considered to be "obese" (25%+).
So, let me get this straight. According to the traditional BMI chart, I'm borderline obese. According to the waist-to-height ratio chart, I'm healthy. Lastly, according to the body fat calculator, I'm an athlete. These contradictions just go on to further highlight the problems with the traditional BMI formula. It doesn't take into account gender differences, muscle vs. fat, etc. It provides a one-size-fits-all mentality, which is often highly problematic when dealing with people's health. Sure, perhaps it's better to be safe than sorry, but it's also ridiculous to view a sumo wrestler and Michael Jordan in his prime as equals in terms of health just because their BMI scores are relatively similar. When I hear a doctor talk about an obese healthy athlete in a serious tone, I may change my tune, but I have a hunch I'll be waiting a while for that to occur.
https://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/Images/body-mass-index-chart.gif
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/waist-to-height-ratio-calculator/#result
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/#result
When looking at the increasingly popular waist-to-height ratio, as I have a 32'' waist, I registered at a 46.38, which is categorized as "healthy." Not only that, but my score was closer to "healthy slim" (42%) than "overweight" (53%). For one to be considered "obese," their ratio has to be at least 63%.
Lastly, I checked out a body fat calculator. My numbers resulted in a score of 10.99%, which is categorized as "athletes," less than half the percentage of what is considered to be "obese" (25%+).
So, let me get this straight. According to the traditional BMI chart, I'm borderline obese. According to the waist-to-height ratio chart, I'm healthy. Lastly, according to the body fat calculator, I'm an athlete. These contradictions just go on to further highlight the problems with the traditional BMI formula. It doesn't take into account gender differences, muscle vs. fat, etc. It provides a one-size-fits-all mentality, which is often highly problematic when dealing with people's health. Sure, perhaps it's better to be safe than sorry, but it's also ridiculous to view a sumo wrestler and Michael Jordan in his prime as equals in terms of health just because their BMI scores are relatively similar. When I hear a doctor talk about an obese healthy athlete in a serious tone, I may change my tune, but I have a hunch I'll be waiting a while for that to occur.
https://www.vertex42.com/ExcelTemplates/Images/body-mass-index-chart.gif
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/waist-to-height-ratio-calculator/#result
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/body-fat-calculator/#result
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