In 19 95, the world health organization decides that the b m i is going to be their new global standard for measuring overweight and obesity. There is quite a bit of back and forth at this ime amongst Pediatricians and petiatric researchers on whether or not it makes sense to tie weight to height for children. Kids with a b m i of 26 point four at age ten are two point one times more likely to have cartiovascular disease at age 50. Riits so fucking noisy to even try to get that kind of data. And like, people's weights tate wildly throughout the course of their life. So a kid who's fat at, you know, seven, you would
The BMI is EVERYWHERE. But is it scientific or scientif-ish? While many Americans think of the body mass index as an objective measure of health, its history reveals a more complicated story. This week, Mike and Aubrey tackle the first in a two-part series about the BMI and the “Obesity Epidemic.” Along the way they visit 18th century Belgium, learn a gross new acronym and dissect Dracula's facial features.
LINKS!:
Support the show