Move Over, BMI: Body Roundness Index Takes the Spotlight
The body mass index, or BMI, a simple ratio of height to weight, has held sway as a medical screening tool for far too long. Despite its widespread use, it's also one of the most criticized health metrics, often unfairly labeling individuals as overweight, obese, or even extremely obese.
Athletes like American Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, whose BMI of 30 technically puts her on the cusp of obesity, have publicly challenged these classifications. Her response to online trolls? "I'm going to the Olympics and you're not."
Advocates for overweight individuals and people of color point out that the BMI formula, developed nearly two centuries ago and based solely on data from mostly white men, was never meant for medical screening.
Enter the body roundness index (BRI), a newer metric that considers not only height and weight but also waist circumference and sometimes hip circumference. The BRI provides a more nuanced picture of body shape and fat distribution, offering a potentially more accurate assessment of health risks.
While BMI remains a common tool, the BRI is gaining recognition as a valuable alternative. It may be time to move over, BMI, and make room for a more comprehensive measure of health.
Share:
Get a call back
Fill the below form to get free counselling for UPSC Civil Services exam preparation
