It’s nice to see someone questioning the BMI numbers in a place besides the FatOSphere. As usual, though, my challenge to those who unquestionably buy into the supposed health risks from a high BMI, is to tell me what I should do about it. Don’t give me the eat less/move more meme. Been there done that—for about the last 30 years. I’m still fat. Don’t give me anecdata either. Show me scientific proof that something shows long-term (>5 years) weight loss, with improved health outcomes, and minimal adverse affects, and then I might listen to you. Meanwhile, I’m waiting…..

By the way, the article refers to a study from the group “Trust for America’s Health.” I thought I’d find out who they are and what they promote, since so many of these groups promote things that aren’t as lovely as their names imply. They apparently are not a fringe group, as their supporters include the AMA, the ANA, the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, etc. etc. From their web site (healthyamericans.org) I learned that TFAH is focused on our preparedness to respond to health emergencies, including bioterrorism, natural disasters, chronic diseases and emerging infectious diseases. Somehow they decided that the OBESITY EPIDEMIC (cue scary music) should be included in that list (maybe between bioterrorism and natural disasters? That’s right. We fat folk are as much of a threat to the nation’s health as anthrax and hurricanes.) They call for a “National Strategy to Combat Obesity” which would focus on ways that our Federal, State, and Local governments can help to curtail the (cue scary music again) OBESITY EPIDEMIC. One of the things they call for is “an official in each Cabinet-level agency…to focus on obesity-related policies.” Do they really mean each Cabinet-level agency? Does the Department of Homeland Security and Interior really need to worry about obesity? Geesh…..

While it’s very good to see this piece, I must take issue with this observation:-

Moreover, it ignores waist size, which is a clear indicator of obesity level.

…because all obese people are, regardless of sex and body-type barrel-shaped, y’know.

Here in japan the average BMI is around 19 for women and I don’t see the women around me falling dead from being “underweight”. BMI is a sham all the way around.

I started skipping meals when I was eight years old in an attempt to lose weight. At age 12 I adopted extremely disordered eating habits that would have been described as anorexia if I had actually lost any weight (which I did not). I was 175 lbs then at my full height of 5′3″–already obese according to BMI. There is no chance I would ever have an “acceptable” BMI.

It had to end by calling obesity “one of the leading causes of poor health and premature death”, even while ridiculing that BMI is a 200-year-old numerical hack. Just like every other article that says, “So don’t use this as an excuse to OMG get fat!” Don’t read the comments unless you have saved up some Sanity Watchers points.

As happy as I am to see BMI ridiculed in a relatively mainstream news source, I have to express disappointment. Once again, thin is assumed to be the only possible healthy form, while thin and muscular is considered all but a recipe for eternal life. Sure worked for Jim Fixx, didn’t it? (/sarcasm)

I’m glad this is starting to be discussed, but we have a long, long way to go before the point starts getting across.

It’s a start, I guess.

The article addresses BMI as if it were just a measure of fatness… but BMI is rarely that benign (best word I could come up with) when used for any practical or medical purpose. Instead, it’s used as a proxy for a person’s health– a practice which hinges on two incorrect assumptions:

1. People with BMIs over a certain number are fat
2. Fat people are unhealthy

I said this at Shakesville, may as well say it here, too: avoid the comments on that article unless you really wanna get your blood pressure up.

I also took a look at the comments. Apperantly some size bully, thinks if he capitalizes the word fat in his post, it will make the same tired BS about how it’s simply calories in and calories out have more importance. All it does is make him look like the angry moron he is.

Lovely! I actually went to a health and wellness seminar a few weeks ago and at the beginning they asked everyone what was the best or worst fitness, nutrition, health advice they had ever received. I said the best thing I ever learned was that the BMI is total crap. So freeing.

“‘Moreover, it ignores waist size, which is a clear indicator of obesity level.’

…because all obese people are, regardless of sex and body-type barrel-shaped, y’know.”

You don’t need to be barrel-shaped to have a big waist. According to the medical community, every woman’s waist should be smaller than 31.5 inches to reduce risk, and 35 to avoid death by TEH FATZ. I’m five ten with big bones. (I’m also fat; I mean big bones quite literally.) Even if you count my bulemic high school years, my waist has never been smaller than 32 inches. If the impact of that 32 inches on my health is the same as it would be on some tiny-boned, 4′10″ Japanese chick, I’ll eat my hat. No, really. I have an awesome wool hat with snowflakes on it, and I will eat it in Times Square for all to see if there’s no difference if effect. They have to prove causation first too though, or it would be meaningless.