The flawed BMI system
What is the BMI system?
The BMI system is a scale that measures body fat based on the weight and height of an individual; additionally, it is believed to define one’s level of health. However, over the years, it has become more transparent that this system is very flawed and does not accurately measure body fat, or health as a whole.
History of BMI
The BMI system was produced by Lambert Adolphe Jaques Quetelet during the early 19th century. Quetelet “...produced the formula to give a quick and easy way to measure the degree of obesity of the general population”(Delvin par. 4). This alone is a strong indicator that the BMI system does measure the population’s health, and instead is just looking for another statistic.
Societal Pressure based on this system
The BMI system has roughly four categories: “underweight”, “normal weight”, “overweight”, and “obese”. However, these categories can be extremely inaccurate, not taking into account a person’s “...muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition, and racial and sex differences”(Nordqvist par. 1). This can be very harmful to anyone who finds that their BMI is not in the “correct” range. This puts a lot of pressure on society to fit a certain standard and can be very detrimental to one’s physical and mental health.
Moreover, some people need more body fat than others. For instance, women require more body fat than men, because “at some point in their lives may nourish a fetus and then a baby from their own reserves”(Delavier par. 2). Low-fat storage for women can lead to abnormal menstrual cycles which could damage a woman’s overall health and even fertility. Overall, fat is essential for life, as it “...helps give your body energy, protects your organs, supports cell growth, keeps cholesterol and blood pressure under control, and helps your body absorb vital nutrients” (harvard.edu par. 1).
Even more disappointing, the BMI system was created for white Europeans and does not take into account the different body compositions of other races, which can be impacted by climate and lifestyle, passed over centuries.
A good example of this is the following video, which breaks down the BMI system even more and brings in some very good examples of how inaccurate BMI can be:
How the BMI system can lead to eating disorders
Because of the invalid BMI system, many people may be provoked to go on crash diets or take control of their weight, which can lead to eating disorders. The BMI system is flawed, outdated, and harmful to our society; instead, we should push to get rid of this system.
You are not alone
If you feel you are struggling with an eating disorder, please consult a professional or visit the sites below. Asking for help is not easy, but you are not alone, making that first step will help you so much in the long run. Happiness and health are worth much more than societal standards, please take care of yourself.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/eating-disorders/eating-disorder-treatment-and-recovery.htm
Works Cited
“NPR Cookie Consent and Choices.” NPR, choice.npr.org/index.html?origin=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106268439#:%7E:text=The%20BMI%20was%20introduced%20in,the%20government%20in%20allocating%20resources. Accessed 22 Aug. 2022.
Nordqvist, Christian. “Why BMI Is Inaccurate and Misleading.” Medical News Today, 20 Jan. 2022, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265215#:%7E:text=BMI%20(body%20mass%20index)%2C,of%20Medicine%2C%20University%20of%20Pennsylvania.
“Learn Why Women Carry More Fat than Men.” Human Kinetics, us.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpt/learn-why-women-carry-more-fat-than-men. Accessed 22 Aug. 2022.
Harvard Health. “Know the Facts about Fats.” Harvard Health, 19 Apr. 2021, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/know-the-facts-about-fats.
