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The Body Mass Index can't distinguish lean body mass from fat weight, therefore very muscular people have BMI scores of the morbidly obese. (image: How Things Work 2005)
Invented in the mid 19th century, the Body Mass Index, or BMI, is currently the most widely-used diagnostic tool for gauging whether a person is at a healthy weight, under or overweight, and is reached through a calculation of height and weight measurements.
A person’s BMI is a very simple indicator of a person’s “fatness” or “thinness” that when used as designed, allows doctors to more objectively discuss weight issues with their patients. Using this calculation, doctors use an individual’s particular BMI to determine whether or not they need medical care for being over or underweight: a BMI of 18.5 to 25 usually indicates optimal weight, a BMI lower than 18.5 suggests the person is underweight, while a number above 25 may indicate the person is overweight; a BMI below 17.5 may indicate the person has anorexia nervosa or a related disorder; a number above 30 suggests the person is obese (over 40, morbidly obese).
There is some controversy over the accuracy of this measurement, as it can’t distinguish body fat from lean body mass, therefore a very muscular person will weigh more, and therefore have a higher BMI, even though he/she may really be quite lean, and many feel it is most appropriately used in the study of populations, not individuals, for that reason.
There is another method of measurement that, according to recent studies, is a more reliable indicator. Body Composition Analysis (BCA) measures four parameters of health.
The BCA for Weight Management helps us measure four parameters of health:
1. Body Hydration Status by measuring the cellular fluid.
2. Cell Health Status by measuring the lean body mass and fat mass.
3, Nutritional Status through the BIA meter. (Bioelectrical Impedance Analyzer)
4. Longevity Status by calculating various indices.
From Medical News Today:
Recent studies using similar analysis suggest that up to 30% of obese people do not in fact require medical treatment. Widespread adoption of BCA could significantly improve the targeting of limited healthcare resources in the context of one of modern society’s global killers. Thanks to advances in imaging technology, variables – such as the body’s fat proportion, location and distribution and the size of fat cells and fat droplets within these cells – can now be factored into the health risk assessment.
Coupled with a better understanding of the interrelation between genes, environment, hormone levels and metabolism, BCA gives clinicians a clearer picture of the specific health risks to an individual.
In light of the growing evidence in favour of functional BCA, the authors conclude that “the definitions of both ‘overweight’ and ‘malnutrition’ should be reconsidered” by clinicians and researchers. Evidently, size does still matter but it’s what you do with it that really counts.
One way to ensure that you are at “optimal weight” regardless of how it’s measured is to…yep, stay active, eat a healthy diet, and keep your soup clean!
Thanks for reading,
Andre Berger, M.D.
p.s. Full disclosure – we have been using the BCA for Weight Management at Rejuvalife for quite some time. Give us a call if you’re interested in being measured!
Associated posts:
Keeping Your Soup Clean: Questions and Answers About Diagnostic Testing
Obesity Shrinks Your Brain & Shortens Your Life
Insulin Resistance Improved with Exercise
Weight Loss Improves Mood in Depressed Individuals
FDA Cracking Down on Misleading Nutrition Labels
Tags: BCA, BMI, Body mass index, Body weight, Conditions and Diseases, diagnostic testing, diet, dieting, fat, fat loss, health, hormone imbalance, lean body mass, medically managed weight loss, nutrition, obesity, overweight, rejuvalife, underweight, weight loss