Stop Looking at BMI (Body Mass Index)! It’s a poor measure of health…
Even Doctors are doing this wrong…
Body Mass Index wasn’t even DESIGNED for Medical Use!
Nearly 200 years ago, Adolphe Quetelet, a mathematician and astronomer, proposed a simple equation based upon his studies of the “normal man.” In the 1940s, Louis I. Dublin, the vice president of Metropolitan Life Insurance, used Quetelet’s index to develop tables to predict the increased death rate (and resulting insurance payout) of obese policyholders.1 Neither of these men attended medical school.
Quetelet’s theories were based on probability and statistics, not on medicine or research. He applied his equation among sexes and genders indiscriminately. Dublin’s data were based upon a population that could afford insurance during and directly after the Great Depression—namely rich, white men. – Alexandra J. Stang
A few of the ways BMI is misused:
- Patients who feel discriminated against for their weight may avoid seeking elective or even necessary medical attention.
- Patients who feel judged by their primary care physicians are less likely to successfully lose weight.
- These patients also experience higher rates of low self-esteem and depression
All of these reduce the likelihood of correcting obesity problems (which are an issue in the world!)
This is a short list. Insurance companies misuse BMI and give healthy people higher rates, it’s not a measure of body fat %, etc…
Here are some other summary articles to review:
- Runner’s World: Click Here
- Bicycling.com: Click Here
- Medical News Today: Click Here
- Harvard University: Click Here
- Cleveland Clinic: Click Here
So while your Doc may be focused on BMI still, you can educate yourself on more important health measures and spread the word to others!
Ch. Master Greg Moody, Ph.D.
P.S. A lot of the studies in the article (you can look up the specific research in the articles) were done on women only but should apply more generally to men because the measurements of health are the same.
KarateBuilt.com and KarateBuilt Martial Arts have been selected the nation’s #1 martial arts schools for EIGHT YEARS IN A ROW!
KarateBuilt L.L.C. was founded in 1995 by Dr. Greg Moody, an 8th degree Black Belt and Chief Master Instructor, KarateBuilt Martial Arts and Karate for Kids offers lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need – specialized for their age group – for school excellence and later success in life.
KarateBuilt Martial Arts Adult Karate training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay in shape), or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.
Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week at 866-311-1032 for one of our nationwide locations. You can also visit our website at KarateBuilt.com.
About Dr. Greg Moody: Dr. Moody is an eighth-degree black belt and chief master instructor. He has a Ph.D. in Special Education from Arizona State University (along with a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering – he actually is a rocket scientist). He has been teaching martial arts for over 25 years and has owned eight martial arts schools in Arizona and California. Chief Master Moody is a motivational speaker and educator and teaches seminars in bullying, business, and martial arts training, around the world. See more at DrGregMoody.com.
Dr. Moody is also a licensed psychotherapist and maintains a practice at Integrated Mental Health Associates (IntegratedMHA.com) where he specializes in couples therapy and mens issues.
The KarateBuilt Martial Arts Headquarters at KarateBuilt LLC is in Cave Creek, Arizona at 29850 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 105, Cave Creek AZ 85331. You can locate the Chief Instructor, Master Laura Sanborn there directly at (480) 575-8171. KarateBuilt Martial Arts serves Cave Creek, Carefree, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley Arizona as well and Grand Rapids, MI.
Also, check us out on YouTube, Groupon, EventBrite, HulaFrog, Go2Karate.com and on Local Trust Navigator!
P.P.S. From Chief Master Moody – as everybody knows my favorite TV character is Herman Munster from the Munsters… HIS BMI would be CRAZY big but (other than being a Munster) he was healthy! :)