Are BMI classifications misleading?

Are BMI classifications misleading?

(FotoDuets, Shutterstock)


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Determining healthy weight is a complicated issue. We can observe the variability in just looking around us; obviously, we come in many different shapes and sizes. Regulation of body weight seems to be a mix of a variety of factors, most notably genetics and environment.

The issue becomes more complicated when we try to use weight to measure health. The way this is done is typically through the Body Mass Index, a weight-to-height ratio, calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. This number is then used to classify someone as “normal weight”, “overweight” or “obese”, which supposedly correlates with morbidity and mortality. Being classified as “overweight” or “obese” based on BMI is seen as a risk factor for the development of several health issues.

Drawbacks of using BMI

But is that accurate? Does BMI accurately measure fitness or fatness, and does having a higher BMI actually come with greater risks for health concerns or mortality rates? There are three distinct drawbacks to using BMI as a measurement of health.

1. BMI was never created for or meant to be used on individuals. It was originally created in the 19th century by a Belgian statistician (not a physician or medical researcher) by the name of Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet who was trying to assess the collective weight of a population (men only). However, it’s easy and quick, which made it more convenient for doctors and insurance companies to use.

2. BMI is only concerned with height and weight. It doesn’t factor in muscle mass, hydration status or bone density, and therefore isn't an accurate measurement of fitness or fatness.

3. BMI correlations to morbidity and mortality do not take into account genetics. Dr. Frank Nuttall wrote a critical review of BMI research for the journal Nutrition Today in 2015, showing the classifications given by measuring BMI may be misleading. In fact, he found that the lowest death rate "was among those in the 'overweight' category, and this was particularly true among the men. There also was a broad range of BMIs over which there was little difference in mortality (BMI of 23.5 to 30)."

Many people are very surprised by this — the "healthiest" BMI bracket correlates with the "overweight" category.

Related:

More than just weight and height

The draw for using BMI to measure health is easy to see — it’s fast, clear-cut and objective. However, a closer look makes it clear that there are other factors to consider and a healthy weight may be more subjective and variable.

Most importantly, while BMI may be correlated with increased health risks, it's vitally important to remember correlation is not causation. It could be that we are comparing apples to oranges, with other characteristics and variables that aren’t being considered.

The best explanation is found in this Poodle Science video from the Association for Size Diversity and Health.

Amy Herskowitz is a senior consultant for community health care government programs in Canada who produced the video. She wrote a blog post for the Association for Size Diversity and Health to explain why the Health At Every Size (HAES) model is a better way to approach health than using BMI. Herskowitz also explained in the post why she made the video: to quickly and easily explain to the public why health is determined by more than just height and weight.

"The HAES paradigm builds on the research showing that social determinants of health: socioeconomic status, equality, equity, social support, and freedom from racism, violence, sexism, poverty, weight stigma, and so on, are the most important contributing causes of health disparities, and yet, they are rarely addressed within medicine or the clinician-patient relationship," Herskowitz wrote. "A lack of attention to these issues, combined with an obsessive focus on arbitrary numerical cutoffs that define health and disease, allow capitalist market concerns like profits from drugs, surgeries, diets, and procedures to trump scientific inquiries that establish how to optimize our well-being."

[YT Video]

Best way to determine your health

Because of this, here's what I think determines a healthy weight, taking into account both genetics and environment: It’s one you maintain effortlessly with healthful, non-restrictive, adequate and flexible food patterns combined with sane amounts of physical activity. It’s a weight where you are free of food and exercise preoccupation and can live life without having to plan around those things.


![Emily Fonnesbeck](http://img.ksl.com/slc/2598/259838/25983892\.jpg?filter=ksl/65x65)
About the Author: Emily Fonnesbeck ----------------------------------

Emily Fonnesbeck is a registered dietitian with her own private practice in St. George, Utah, working with both local and virtual clients. Her treatment specialities include disordered eating, body image and digestive issues. Learn more at www.emilyfonnesbeck.com.

- - - - - -

Editor’s Note: Anything in this article is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, to (a) be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition; (b) create, and receipt of any information does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. You should NOT rely upon any legal information or opinions provided herein. You should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel; and (c) create any kind of investment advisor or financial advisor relationship. You should NOT rely upon the financial and investment information or opinions provided herein. Any opinions, statements, services, offers, or other information or content expressed or made available are those of the respective author(s) or distributor(s) and not of KSL. KSL does not endorse nor is it responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, information, or statement made in this article. KSL expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of this article.

Most recent Lifestyle stories

Related topics

Lifestyle

STAY IN THE KNOW

Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

KSL Weather Forecast