The BMI is a mathematical formula that supposedly tells us if we have the “right” weight for our height. At best, it’s historical nonsense. At worst, it’s utterly misleading and harmful. To understand quite how nonsensical the BMI is, let’s take a look at where it comes from.
The origin
Once upon a time, in the early 19th century (!), the astronomer, mathematician and statistician Adolphe Quetelet became interested in the average human being. He measured people and like all mathematicians and statisticians, he tried to translate reality into numbers and describe it with formulas.
One of these formulas formerly known as the Quetelet-Kaup-Index, is now widely used as the BMI. Quetelet was not a doctor. He did not intend his formula to be used by doctors. He just wanted to measure people and find the numbers to describe the average human being.
The rise
People like to believe that we can measure and catalogue everything and everyone. It gives us an illusion of control and soothes us.
It’s also easier for doctors to diagnose us, when they have numbers to throw around because they can be measured, written down and compared. So where’s the harm in that?
Well, when insurance companies and, worse, doctors use these numbers to determine if you are eligible for a policy, or when they use them to diagnose you, these numbers should be relevant. But they are not because the BMI completely ignores body type, gender and even age.
Worse than meaningless
The number says nothing about you and what shape you are in. Like calories, the BMI is at best meaningless and at worst harmful because people believe so strongly in it, that they will try to achieve numbers that are in fact unhealthy for them.
There is no general ideal weight for a certain height. Think about it. Does it really make sense that a person who is 1.60m tall needs to weigh the same, no matter how old they are, what their gender is and what their body type is? No, of course not.
Ignore it
When someone throws the BMI at me, I sometimes take the time to explain that it’s nonsense, if I think they are able to hear it. If they are a doctor or another medical professional, I will not see them again. Using the BMI is irresponsible, especially if a doctor uses it to tell someone to gain or lose weight.
We all have an ideal weight, which is different for everyone and has nothing to do with our height. It’s also not one number but a weight range. People who live in cold countries, for example, weigh more in winter than in summer because we put on extra layers of insulation. Your body regains your ideal weight automatically once you eat healthy unprocessed foods for at least a year.
No need for scales
And while we’re at it, here’s another habit you might want to drop: stop weighing yourself. There is no reason whatsoever to know your weight. Really, none. I don’t even remember the last time I weight myself.
There are certain medications where the dosage depends on the patient’s weight, but they are rare for humans. So stop weighing yourself. There’s no need for anyone to know how much we weigh. What really matters is that we are healthy and happy.
Why not use the energy you wasted in the past focusing on your weight, measuring and weighing yourself, for something healthier? Or just go and have some fun. Move your body. Eat a nice meal. Hang out with friends. Stop measuring. The numbers are just numbers. What really matters is how you feel.
The Dodo Munches cannot and does not contain medical/health advice. The information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please read the full disclaimer here.