BMI has long beencontroversialamong healthcare professionalsyet the obsession with how to calculate BMI persists.
Were all made differently.
We all have different muscle mass and different genetic components.
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TL; DR: BMI is an oversimplified tool that doesnt fully capture the ways an individuals health.
Its not unusual to have a larger body weight (i.e.
an overweight or obese BMI) and be metabolically healthy, for example.
So, should you bother to calculate your body mass index?
What is body mass index (BMI)?
Today, BMI is used as a diagnostic tool for adult and pediatricobesityand istrackedin nearly all electronic medical records.
Why use a BMI calculator?
All you better know is your height and weight.
The ease of calculating BMI helps explain why the measure is still popular in healthcare tweaks.
How accurate is a BMI calculator in assessing body health?
In the overweight and lower ranges ofobesity, it’s not unusual to be metabolically healthy, says Erlanger.
Similarly, its not unusual to have metabolic problems when you’re at a healthy BMI, she adds.
By only using BMI to assess body health, a lot of people don’t get appropriate care.
What is the purpose of calculating BMI?
Instead of calculating your body mass index, experts recommend tracking your blood pressure and hemoglobin A1C instead.
Blood pressure tells us how hard your heart is working, says Bar.
When the heart is working harder, or straining, it puts you at [higher] cardiovascular risk.
Hemoglobin A1C is a measure of your bodys glucose control over a three-month period.
Weight can impact blood glucose, but the relationship is complex.
