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'BMI is a waste of time': Measurement is WRONGLY branding millions of fat people unhealthy (tr)…
Daily Mail (UK) ^ | 11:17 EST, 4 February 2016 | Anna Hodgekiss

Posted on 02/04/2016 11:33:39 AM PST by Olog-hai

The use of Body Mass Index to assess a person's health has led to millions of people incorrectly being labeled overweight or obese, researchers claim.

The measurement has been used by doctors for more than 150 years, but has come under increasing criticism for being a flawed marker of health. [...]

Now, however, Californian researchers claim their research will be will be 'the final nail in the coffin for BMI'. [...]

This revealed almost half of Americans who are labeled 'overweight' by virtue of their BMIs (47.4 percent, or 34.4 million people) are healthy, as are 19.8 million who are considered 'obese.' However, the analysis also found more than 30 percent of those with BMIs in the 'normal' range, - about 20.7 million people - are actually unhealthy based on their other health data. And more than two million people who are considered 'very obese' by virtue of having a BMI of 35 or above are actually healthy. ...

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Food; Health/Medicine; Society
KEYWORDS: bmi; bodymassindex; diabetes; obesity
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To: Olog-hai

Our son was placed on the “fat boy” meal plan in Marine boot camp until someone decided to use caliper measurements rather than BMI height/weight tables.

Turns out a high school defensive lineman who joins up 2 years later might just have a bit more muscle than typical. Having a 9% BFP is not such a bad thing after all.


21 posted on 02/04/2016 12:00:25 PM PST by 5thGenTexan
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To: baltimorepoet

Science students get that particular fact about kilograms hammered into their heads. The metric unit of weight (force) is the Newton; the imperial/English unit of mass is the slug, which is 32.17 lbs on the Earth’s surface.


22 posted on 02/04/2016 12:00:35 PM PST by Olog-hai
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To: Olog-hai

I have always been considered overweight based on BMI. Even when I ran track, played soccer and swam and was in super good shape. It’s always been dumb, in my book.


23 posted on 02/04/2016 12:00:42 PM PST by ilgipper
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To: gaijin
Mr. Universe, 1967

BMI THIRTY-THREE...!!

24 posted on 02/04/2016 12:02:18 PM PST by gaijin
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To: napscoordinator

I never understood this.
I am 6’4” , 230lbs , with the physique of Larry the Cable Guy.
My coworker... my much younger coworker... that goes to the gym everyday is also 6’4”, 230lbs, has a 32 inch waist, solid muscle, can dunk a basketball. He has the physique of Cam Newton.

But, we step on the scales and the equation gives us both the same BMI.


25 posted on 02/04/2016 12:04:05 PM PST by envisio (I ain't here long... I'm out of napalm and .22 bullets.)
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To: nickcarraway

True, but apparently Astaire helped Debbie Reynolds get up to scratch dance-wise in that movie after Gene Kelly got on her case for being a poor dancer.


26 posted on 02/04/2016 12:04:13 PM PST by Olog-hai
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To: nickcarraway


27 posted on 02/04/2016 12:08:24 PM PST by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING ’VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
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To: Future Snake Eater

I have had exactly the same treatment, numerous times.

AT LEAST the doctor should scoff, or giggle a little, as he says, “Okay, you’re obese...”

But in fact nearly all say it very matter-of-factly, and not over the phone, either.

YOU IDIOT, JUST LOOK AT ME...!


28 posted on 02/04/2016 12:08:36 PM PST by gaijin
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To: ilgipper

I know the feeling, I am 71 and within less than four months of 72, six four barefoot and 255 pounds, according to BMI I am “obese” but young men envy my build and young women tell me I look “very athletic”. I spend a lot of time working on my property with a chain saw, cutting brush and trees, piling wood and burning it, using a shovel and an axe and when I can find time I go to the gym. I can out work most of the thirty year olds around here with no problem.


29 posted on 02/04/2016 12:08:38 PM PST by RipSawyer (Racism is racism, regardless of the race of the racist.)
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To: Olog-hai

BMI. Bacon, Mayonaise and Ice Cream. (Blue Bell)


30 posted on 02/04/2016 12:10:17 PM PST by Texas resident (The democrat party will destroy our country and they think they won't be affected.)
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To: Texas resident

I could care less what any doctor has to say about my BMI. That being my beer belly.
This beer belly took a long time to make and this beer belly can tell you alot of good stories.
Besides, I know somebody that likes to rub it.


31 posted on 02/04/2016 12:16:40 PM PST by envisio (I ain't here long... I'm out of napalm and .22 bullets.)
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To: Olog-hai

In my prime I was 6’2” and 220 pounds with a 33 inch waist. I ran and worked out all the time. According to the metro-sexual height to weight charts a 6’2” man should weigh between 170 and 180. That would have made me a scarecrow.

BMI is BS.


32 posted on 02/04/2016 12:32:32 PM PST by Resolute Conservative
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To: Olog-hai

Forget the stupid “indexes”. Just go climb 3 flights of stairs at a brisk pace. If your chest is pounding, or you feel like you need to lie down, you are out of shape.

If you feel invigorated, or maybe just a little winded, then you are probably fine.


33 posted on 02/04/2016 12:34:32 PM PST by Boogieman
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To: Olog-hai
BMI was always a ridiculous way to determine obesity.

Obesity is like pornography: You know it when you see it.

34 posted on 02/04/2016 12:37:42 PM PST by SamAdams76 (Delegates So Far: Cruz (8); Trump (7); Rubio (7)
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To: gaijin; Lazamataz

But which one is Laz?


35 posted on 02/04/2016 12:38:28 PM PST by NEMDF
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To: nickcarraway

Dang, you’re right. It was Gene Kelly. D’oh!

I was thinking of “Top Hat”.

Ginger would likely be classed as overweight too, by the BMI...


36 posted on 02/04/2016 12:47:27 PM PST by Don W ( When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn.)
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To: Olog-hai

The current problem with the BMI is that it is prevalent and simplistic. 2 measurements and bingo, you have a number. The future problem with BMI is, like many others have worried about, you, as a health consumer, are statistically locked by that BMI number, frequently without recourse. It is easy to contemplate a monolithic and statistically-oriented mandated health care system use such an easy number to control costs by basing treatment options upon the BMI.

The concept of fair treatment proliferates where different providers compete to deliver services. Such conditions encourage looking beyond singular indexes to find niche advantages. One-Size-Fits-All monoliths have no need for such messy and inefficient efforts - Nurse knows best!


37 posted on 02/04/2016 12:52:31 PM PST by SES1066 (Quality, Speed or Economical - Any 2 of 3 except in government - 1 at best but never #3!)
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To: Jewbacca

I have 97% body fat and can deadlift 2lbs.


38 posted on 02/04/2016 3:22:59 PM PST by Lazamataz (I'm an Islamophobe??? Well, good. When it comes to Islam, there's plenty to Phobe about.)
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To: Lazamataz

That would make ejecting from a plane a difficult prospect.

Something like 40% of people who eject from a plane break their back. Basically all you can do is have a thick back and pray.

It scared the crap out of me, so I deadlift.


39 posted on 02/04/2016 3:39:25 PM PST by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem)
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To: Jewbacca

I am so screwed.


40 posted on 02/04/2016 3:55:36 PM PST by Lazamataz (I'm an Islamophobe??? Well, good. When it comes to Islam, there's plenty to Phobe about.)
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