It is important to remember that BMI is not the only measure we look at when we are considering risk but it is one of the tools we use.
The BMI calculator below does not apply to South Asians as the risk for these people is higher at lower BMI. There are other groups and ethnicities that this does not apply to but it is a good starting point for many people.
Scroll down to see your BMI category
Navigating Health Metrics in the 21st Century
It’s 2023 and the world has been obsessed with weight and diet for the last couple of decades so unless you’ve been living under a rock since the year 2000, you know what BMI is used for. You may have also heard a bit of the controversy surrounding BMI and it’s applicability today.
BMI, or Body Mass Index is a 19th-century invention which is used to categorize individuals into weight groups, associating higher BMIs with increased risks of chronic conditions, critics question its relevance in the modern age. As you can imagine, there was far less variability in peoples body composition and even less technology in the 19th century than there is today, but we continue to use it – Why?
To put it simply, its inexpensive, accessible and for the average person, it’s pretty accurate. Of course, there are outliers such as professional athletes and there are also many caveats which need to be considered like muscle mass, age, gender, and ethnicity which can all affect accuracy which is why it is used in the real world (outside of research) as a tool to be used alongside other more advanced screening tools such as biochemistry and imaging. There are also less advanced yet still useful tools to use in conjunction with BMI such as waist circumference. waist circumference is a way measure body fat, especially the type of fat most dangerous to health: visceral or “hidden” fat. This fat wraps around your organs and excretes inflammatory proteins that can increase the risk of certain diseases. It’s important to note, people with a normal BMI can still have excess visceral fat. I say “excess” because having some visceral fat helps protect your organs and of course, people who are pregnant should not use waist circumference as a tool to measure risk.
What should my waist circumference be? If you’re Caucasian or Northern European, it should be less than 35 for women and less than 40 for men.
Is BMI Bullshit?
Well, yes and no. Like we just saw, BMI isn’t perfect and some argue for its abandonment, some because they believe the shortfalls out weight the value and others because they believe the term BMI perpetuates misconceptions about body weight. Others propose using it alongside other measures like waist circumference and muscle mass for a more comprehensive risk assessment. I am in this second camp. BMI absolutely has its limitations such failing to distinguish between fat, muscle, and other factors influencing body weight but discounting the value it can add to both an individual and to the masses is doing a disservice to us all.
Is BMI "Fat Shaming"?
Some believe using “BMI” is perpetuating weight bias, is “fat shaming” and does not promote “body positivity” but abandoning “BMI” didn’t cause these issues and abandoning it all together certainly won’t solve them. Acknowledging the discomfort it may cause, we must balance sensitivity with the need to address health risks.
The Numbers and Categories:
BMI below 18.5: Underweight
BMI 18.5–24.9: Healthy weight
BMI 25–29.5: Overweight
BMI 30–34.9: Obese
BMI 35–39.5: Class 2 obesity
BMI over 40: Class 3 obesity (formerly morbid obesity)
The Gray Areas and limitations:
Athletes and muscular individuals may appear overweight.
Aging adults and muscle loss may result in underestimated body fat.
Gender and ethnic differences impact body composition.
Does not distinguish between excess fat, muscle, bone mass, inflammation, edema
Age, sex, ethnicity, and health status are not considered
Beyond BMI:
Consider Common Sense: Evaluate muscle mass, fat distribution, ethnicity, and other factors.
Consult Your Doctor: Clinical assessments like blood glucose and lipids provide a broader health picture.
The Bottom Line:
Should we discard BMI entirely because of its limitations or because it upsets some? No. Despite imperfections, it remains a valuable self-monitoring tool for the majority. We cannot simply ignore the fact that in general, people who carry more weight than is considered healthy, over a long enough period of time, have more chances of developing chronic diseases.
In the evolving landscape of health metrics, BMI remains a useful, albeit imperfect, tool. It serves as a starting point for self-assessment but should be complemented by other clinical measures. Rather than dismissing it, let's refine our understanding, recognizing its limitations while embracing a holistic approach to health assessment. In the end, the numbers on the scale should not define us; they should guide us toward a healthier, more informed lifestyle.
