This chapter explores how body composition and fat distribution differ across racial and ethnic populations, impacting health risks at different BMI levels. It discusses the limitations of using BMI as a diagnostic tool and suggests incorporating other metrics for a more comprehensive assessment.
For decades, BMI — calculated by dividing weight by height squared — has been as an international standard to determine healthy weights.
However, BMI does not measure body fat, and ignores many other factors that can affect how healthy someone it.
Now, a small but growing movement of reseachers and clinicians are calling for other metrics to be used in conjunction with BMI when diagnosing and treating obesity.
This is an audio version of our Feature: Why BMI is flawed — and how to redefine obesity
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