BMI is a tool, and a first approximation tool, at that.
BMI is a tool, and a first approximation tool, at that. We haven't got anything that cheaply, easily replaces it as a mostly objective number generator for health management, so it's not going anywhere.
However, I'm not aware of a separate set of validations for adolescents, whose bodies are not adult bodies. Pertinent because apparently BMI is being used or required, now, as part of health curricula at schools and according to some comments I've seen, in some states it's required as part of the medical evaluation for participating in school and team sports. Brilliant. Because telling a teenager who wants to be active that they are fat is really going to encourage them to want to participate in team sports.
Which one is really more important for good health, now and in the future? I'm pretty sure the inherent body shaming undermines any supposed objective benefit of telling a child their BMI. Whereas ignoring the BMI and supporting and encouraging physical activity can have lifelong benefits.
http://www.vox.com/2016/4/6/11377158/bmi-flaws-tessa-embry
http://www.vox.com/2016/4/6/11377158/bmi-flaws-tessa-embry
However, I'm not aware of a separate set of validations for adolescents, whose bodies are not adult bodies. Pertinent because apparently BMI is being used or required, now, as part of health curricula at schools and according to some comments I've seen, in some states it's required as part of the medical evaluation for participating in school and team sports. Brilliant. Because telling a teenager who wants to be active that they are fat is really going to encourage them to want to participate in team sports.
Which one is really more important for good health, now and in the future? I'm pretty sure the inherent body shaming undermines any supposed objective benefit of telling a child their BMI. Whereas ignoring the BMI and supporting and encouraging physical activity can have lifelong benefits.
http://www.vox.com/2016/4/6/11377158/bmi-flaws-tessa-embry
http://www.vox.com/2016/4/6/11377158/bmi-flaws-tessa-embry
Yeah, the whole BMI measurement thing in junior high and high school - even into college - totally boned my health goals for many, many years - to the point that I wonder if it did permanent damage to me that I struggle with now.
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