B.M.I (Body Mass Index) is a measure of fatness in the body. Individuals have become so obsessed with their BMI's that they don't realize what the number actually measures. BMI's calculate both the fatty and lean tissue in the body. Dr. Carl Lavie explains that BMI's are primarily used for statistical purposes in large groups. For instance, the table can determine obesity in a large group, yet they are less accurate on a person-to-person basis. You can find a BMI chart almost everywhere. However, when people do not know how to interpret them accurately, they can be misleading. For example, athletes may fear they are overweight, when really, their body fat is healthy and necessary. On the flip side however, individuals often feel that a low BMI is healthy, when it could be the indication of eating disorder or disease. True body fatness is most accurately described by percentages of fat in relation to muscle. The best way to calculate fatness would be using measurements taken with a caliper in specified areas. This process shows the fat that is present underneath the skin.
This topic was interesting to me because so many people are paranoid about their weight for the wrong reasons. Girls, in particular, are constantly comparing themselves to each other. Images from the media have a particularly significant impact on girls. Females find any way they can to critique their bodies. Often, they have no basis to make judgments except for outward appearance. When individuals learn about the proper ways to calculate healthy body fat vs. unhealthy body fat, they will put more of an emphasis on exercise and weight training, than the mere change of a number. When people are constantly surrounded by BMI index charts in doctors’ offices and a number of other areas, it is nearly impossible not to read the numbers. However, it is interesting and upsetting that so many people are mislead by what the numbers actually mean. It makes me feel like there should be a disclaimer above the chart of the BMI index.
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