In a study that threatens to dislodge the very basis of how we measure health, a new study has revealed that the once-vaulted Body Mass Index (BMI) incorrectly categorises millions of “obese” people as unhealthy.
The study led by UCLA psychologists has found that using BMI to gauge health incorrectly labels people as “unhealthy,” even though they are not. Lead author A. Janet Tomiyama said that many people see obesity as a death sentence, but the data show there are tens of millions of people who are overweight and obese and are perfectly healthy.
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The scientists analysed the link between BMI, which is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of the person’s height in metres and several health markers, including blood pressure and glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, using data from the most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The study found that more than 30% of those with BMIs in the “normal” range, are actually unhealthy based on their other health data; more than 2 million people who are considered “very obese” by virtue of having a BMI of 35 or higher are actually healthy.
{{/usCountry}}The study found that more than 30% of those with BMIs in the “normal” range, are actually unhealthy based on their other health data; more than 2 million people who are considered “very obese” by virtue of having a BMI of 35 or higher are actually healthy.
{{/usCountry}}Read: Being fat is still better than being thin and out of shape: Study
Tomiyama noted that there are healthy people who could be penalised based on a faulty health measure, while the unhealthy people of normal weight will fly under the radar. Co-author Jeffrey Hunger said the research shows that BMI is a deeply flawed measure of health, adding that this should be the final nail in the coffin for BMI. The study appears in International Journal of Obesity.
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