BMI should die — “obesity” and fitness do coexist
Recently, I had to explain to my new primary care provider that while I’m “obese” according to BMI, I could guarantee her I’m one of her most active (if not her most active) patients.
She seemed perplexed when I told her I’m a fitness coach and runner. She fell silent, and took on a deer-in-the-headlights gaze when I provided details of my exercise routines and nutritional habits. She seemed even skeptical when I told her that currently I run 6 miles a day, 3 days a week and strength train 3 days a week. I explained that while I’m vegetarian, I adequately supplement with protein to support muscle building.
I’m 189 pounds and 5'6" tall. According to BMI, I am just inside the obese category. My resting heart rate is between 53–55 bpm. My blood pressure is normal. My cholesterol and triglycerides are in ideal range. I am, gratefully, a healthy person.
Up until a few years ago, even I used BMI as a measurement of where my weight ought to be. I weighed myself multiple times a week, always with that ultimately arbitrary, but powerful number of 185 in my head. That magic number would mean I was no longer obese.
Focusing on my weight started to become a source of frustration. I was very active, energetic, and in the best shape of my life — how could my weight, on the other hand, reflect what we are told is unhealthy?
Through learning more about the development of the BMI system and knowing about its inherent drawbacks — for instance, not differentiating between adipose tissue and muscle — I came to appreciate that BMI can be a harmful metric when we believe it’s a standard that should be front and center, valued with little to no caveat.
BMI was not originally developed to be applied to individuals. It was designed as a simple comparison tool between populations. BMI does not take the vastness of human diversity in build, body type and shape into consideration when attached to an individual.
BMI generally, and the manner in which it’s applied, is clearly outdated. BMI as currently utilized is a frustratingly ineffectual system, and its widespread use in gauging the health and fitness of patients and fitness clients should end.
Simply going to the doctor for the most basic care can be a source of anxiety for those of us classified as “overweight” and “obese” according to flawed systems and standards. With far too many providers, every one of our medical concerns is attributed to weight. Just lose a few pounds and that’s the “cure”. It’s lazy health “care” at best.
BMI also does not need to be replaced with some better informed, advanced system. We have actual diagnostic tools and specialized assessments at our disposal when a specific health concern requires attention and treatment.
Similarly, with fitness clients, numbers are far too objective to be a valuable reflection of their experience as living, breathing, feeling human beings. A sense of wellbeing, well managed stress, progression in training, energy level, endurance, strength, confidence, a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, acceptance of one’s body at any given moment — are all far better measures of the effectiveness of client care.
Tragically, thinking weight is some overriding determinant of health and fitness can impact how we see ourselves. Many of us have been convinced our weight, body type, shape, size, etc. translate into an automatic deficit in health — and ability. You can even have a fit body and be so mentally conditioned to believe you don’t, that you are unconvinced of your own fitness level.
We deserve better.
Jennifer Capps has over 15 years of experience as a wellness professional and is owner and head coach of Body of a Goddess — body positive fitness and nutrition coaching. Learn more about her and her experience here.
