The Problem with BMI
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used measure of body fat based on an individual's weight and height. It is a simple and quick screening tool TODAY because online there are calculators. But when the CDC and the NIH switched from the easy Hamwi in 1985 it wasn’t to make it easy since you needed to know square roots and other complicated math and in metrics too! They did it so they could jigger the formula so no one would be obese! Love yourself! FAT Acceptance here we come.
Supposedly the BMI provides an estimate of body fat and helps categorize individuals into different weight status categories. BMI is commonly used in public health and clinical settings to assess the risk of various health conditions associated with weight.
The formula for calculating BMI is:
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height² (m²)
In the United States, BMI is often used to classify individuals into different weight status categories, which are:
Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
Normal weight: BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
Overweight: BMI between 25 and 29.9
Obesity: BMI of 30 or greater
While BMI is NOT a useful tool for assessing body weight on a population level, it did make all Americans feel good except until Covid hit. Then a huge number of huge bodies found out they were obese and that Covid and fat are a No No. Also BMI does not differentiate between lean body mass and fat mass so if you play for the NFL the BMI is not for you!!
The Hamwi formula, on the other hand, is not a measure of body fat but rather a method for estimating an individual's ideal body weight. It was developed by Dr. G. J. Hamwi in the early 1960s and is commonly used in clinical settings to provide a quick estimate of a healthy weight range. The formula is different for men and women:
Hamwi computations are based on inches and pounds, according to the following:
M = 106 lb for the first 5 ft + 6 lb for each additional inch.
F = 100 lb for the first 5 ft + 5 lb for each additional inch.
The Hamwi formula provides a rough estimate of an individual's “healthy” weight based on their height. It is important to note that these formulas are general guidelines and may not be suitable for anyone who is afraid of the truth.
In summary, while BMI is a widely used measure of body fat, the Hamwi formula was used to estimate an individual's ideal body weight. Both tools have now been replaced by WAISTLINE Measurement. Soon no one will talk about the old tools since we know it is only waistline. that counts. And what is the magic number? 35 — THIRTY-FIVE — 35. Say it again!!
The WHO (World Health Organization) says this is the number. What should your waist measurement be? For men, a waist circumference below 94cm (37in) is 'low risk', 94–102cm (37-40in) is 'high risk' and more than 102cm (40in) is 'very high'. For women, below 80cm (31.5in) is low risk, 80–88cm (31.5-34.6in) is high risk and more than 88cm (34.6in) is very high.
Well this is bad news since the average American woman has a waistline that is 38.7!! Only Ozempic will stop it from reaching 39 inches. Notice that men have a wider margin which is really suspicious since they don’t get pregnant. In Japan where they have measured waists since 2008, the men’s is slightly less than the women’s number.
Height: 5 feet, 6 inches
Weight: 185 pounds
Your BMI is 29.9, indicating your weight is in the Overweight category for adults of your height.
The above was copied for the CDC/NIH site. Obviously, no female who stands at 5’6” and weighs 185 pounds is just overweight. Except in the good ole USA. Other countries copies our BMI tom foolery but they never played so loose with the numbers. So obviously, if you are in any European country you would be classified as obese. Maybe that ‘s why their death rate form Covid was so l much lower than in the richest country in history. If Americans limited their food intake to 80 bites per day, this wouldn’t be an issue.
