BMI and All Those Numbers

BMI -- Body Mass Index -- the numbers that tell the world we as a nation are overweight. We are, no doubt on that one, but, really, what does it mean and is it really an accurate way to measure obesity?

I remember when the almighty scale was the answer. I would get up every morning, put my feet on the scale and depending on what IT read was how I approached my day and the food I put in my mouth.

But the scale is out and BMI is in. And it is simple to calculate. The easiest formula I found was height x weight and you had the magic number. You can find this do-it-your-selfer on www.weightwatchers.com. If you want a more in depth look at the BMI, www.livestrong.com/article/154837 shows a different calculator to gain your BMI magical number.

Below 20 -- underweight
20-25 -- healthy
25-30 -- overweight
Above 30 -- obese

As Americans we are overweight. The average BMI for a male is 26.6 and for a female, it is 26.5. We also have the second highest BMI rate in the world. Kuwait is the first. The leanest can be found in third world countries with Bangladesh as the lowest. If you want to see where your country fits in, go to dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2301172.




Insurance companies used to use our weight for our health risk. Today it is the BMI number. But, really? Really? Yes, I agree, the person who sits at home all day, doing nothing, eating fast food for a meal every day, has high blood pressure, either has diabetes or on the verge of it, and weighs 300 pounds is obese. I would imagine, morbidly obese, because the health is at risk. But what about the other person -- what about children and the elderly and the athlete.

I don't know about you, but a child, say 9 or 10 who is active may have numbers as being obese, but not really. They are children. The same holds true for the athlete. I just finished physical therapy, and my therapist is a body builder. She told me that when she started she actually gained some 30 pounds -- all muscle. In her legs. There is not an ounce of fat on her, but because of the muscle weight, she may be considered overweight. The norm or stereotype of a football player is big, tall and strong -- and that muscle weight could throw him over into the overweight or obese range. And for those people who are aging, they are the ones who are losing the muscle. Here, it's a continual battle to keep the muscle and lose the fat the muscle wants to turn into. But, is that fair?

My mother was 95 when she died and before that time she went from a woman of around 150 pounds to a little old woman of 90 pounds. It's what happens when you get to live a long life. But, what would have happened if she did not carry those extra pounds?

Today, there is talk of defining obesity or being at health risk even further by measuring the waist's circumference. That would be good. Already, most people know that those who carry weight around their middle are more prone to heart disease. And isn't that what it is all about -- preventing heart disease and diabetes. And if you can't prevent it, keep it in check by eating healthy foods and getting a bit of exercise. Isn't that what it's all about? -- living a healthy life so you can be active and vital for a long time to come -- to say, 100 years old? Oh, that is old. We would definitely have to change how we see the aged, and then, we would have to work longer because we would be living longer. It's a never ending conversation.

BMI -- I guess I am okay with my numbers and I will continue to try to lose that 10% of my weight because they (the experts) have said I will have more energy, and I always want more and more energy. Other than that, I guess I am just like every other overweight American who tries to eat healthy and tries to stay active on a daily basis.

Until Wednesday...have a great day...