Katie Feuling

English 110
Olivia Stoltman
4/14/19

Who controls the scale?

Weight: it's something many Americans have stressed over at some point in their lives.

Americans are known for being overweight, eating greasy food, and partaking in bad habits. In

fact, numerous studies back up this claim with statistics showing that more than 1 in 3

Americans are “overweight;” however, this statistic may not be as straightforward as it seems

(Overweight & Obesity Statistics). Most people are not even aware of what exactly classifies

someone as “overweight”. Most researchers and doctors use BMI readings or Body Mass Index

readings. BMI is calculated by taking weight over height squared to estimate the amount of body

fat (Overweight & Obesity Statistics). “Under 18.5 means you are underweight” if your number

is “between 18.5 and 24.9, you’re considered normal while a BMI of 30 or higher qualifies as

overweight.” (Sifferlin). To some these are more than just numbers, many people feel the need to

maintain that healthy weight even by unhealthy means.

Now doctors are starting to criticize this method. They are starting to question if simply

using height and weight is enough to determine health. Using myself for an example. I take it

upon myself to make sure I utilize the gym daily, to opt for the healthier choices in my diet, and

to continually reach out to more knowledgeable friends on ways to be even healthier. Yet despite

this, when I get on the scale it is on the higher end of what is considered a “normal” weight. I

know I am not alone in finding myself on the wrong end of the scale. Therefore, I too find

myself questioning this method of health measurement. Using height and weight is not enough to

determine someone’s health.

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Body Mass Index is far from a new measurement. BMI was created in the 1830s by

Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian mathematician, sociologist, statistician and astronomer (Nordqvist).

Nick Trefethen, professor of numerical analysis at Oxford University’s Mathematical Institute

explains that “during Quetelet's time there were no calculators, computers or electronic devices -

which is probably why he opted for a super-simple system. Trefethen wonders why institutions

today on both sides of the Atlantic continue using the same flawed-BMI formula.” (Nordqvist).

Medicine has come a long way since Quetelet, so why is this outdated tool still in use today?

Some doctors argue that BMI is a good indicator of health, because typically the more

body fat one has, the higher their weight is. One researcher found that “BMI tests offered similar

information and conclusions as the more complex X-Ray exam, suggesting BMI can measure

future health risks” (Naftulin). This can is true, however there are many exceptions which can

cause skewed results. In fact, a different study found that half of overweight adults were

considered metabolically healthy. Contrarily, one quarter of Americans who were deemed

healthy have one or more indicators associated with being overweight (Cupaiuolo). With these

results, one must consider the accuracy of BMI.

One big issue is that BMI sometimes fails to precisely differentiate between fat and

muscle. Although muscle is denser and takes up less room in the body than fat it is still similar in

weight. If this measurement can sometimes fail to distinguish an Olympic athlete from a couch

potato, then is it really a good way to determine health? Another issue is that BMI fails to

recognize the type of fat. Belly fat is a visceral fat, which is much more problematic than fat

found underneath the skin. It is harmful because it sits around organs and releases hormones

which disrupt the body’s energy (Sifferlin).

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Genetics can also skew height and weight. One individual can eat healthy and exercise

often but due to genetics are naturally heavier. Conversely, a different individual can eat poorly

and never exercise yet they still are naturally skinny. Muscle mass, bone density, overall body

composition, racial, and sex differences all play a large role in health, yet all of this is overlooked

by BMI statistics (Nordqvist).

With all the issues surrounding this system, why is BMI still used today? Well simply

put, it is easy and quick to measure. In large scales studies like the percent of a nation being

overweight, this is the most convenient way to get results. The only completely accurate way to

determine amount of fat is through X-rays and MRIs, which is expensive and time-consuming

(Shmerling). It can be understandable why more precise tools are not being used, however, there

is another option to increase accuracy, which is waist circumference. Studies prove that waist

circumference is strongly and independently associated with type 2 diabetes, therefore allowing

it to help with estimating an individual's risk for type 2 diabetes (Nordqvist). Therefore, taking

this into account along with height and weight can truly improve the accuracy.

There is another way to solve the inaccuracies of the body mass index. Refuse to allow

BMI to determine health and refuse to allow weight to control your life. Lifestyle choices are

what should be determining health. Exercising on a regular basis, making healthier diet choices,

and watching what else goes into your body can all lead to a healthier lifestyle. These are the

things to concern over; not what number is on the scale. However, if nothing else, something as

simple as measuring your waist circumference can really help determine your health. It is also

important to remember that this doesn’t just apply to people on the higher end of the scale, just

because the weight is in the ‘normal’ range doesn’t mean you are healthy. Weight being

acceptable does not prevent diseases and lifelong illnesses that come with being unhealthy. It is
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also crucial to think critically about how statistics like the percent of overweight Americans are

determined. One in three Americans may be “overweight” but how many Americans are

considered healthy? How many are fooled by the numbers? Don’t be fooled and don’t let weight

control your life.

Works Cited

Cupaiuolo, Christine. “Study: Weight Not Necessarily an Indicator of Health.” Our Bodies
Ourselves, 12 Aug. 2008, www.ourbodiesourselves.org/2008/08/study-weight-not-
necessarily-an-indicator-of-health/.

Naftulin, Julia. “BMI May Be a Better Measure of Health than Previously Thought.” Insider, 12
Dec. 2018, www.thisisinsider.com/bmi-may-be-good-measure-health-2018-12.
Nordqvist, Christian. “Why BMI Is Inaccurate and Misleading.” Medical News Today,
MediLexicon International, 25 Aug. 2013, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles
/265215.php.

“Overweight & Obesity Statistics.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 Aug. 2017,
www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity.

Shmerling, Robert H. “How Useful Is the Body Mass Index (BMI)?” Harvard Health Blog, 28
Mar. 2016, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-useful-is-the-body-mass-index-bmi-
201603309339.

Sifferlin, Alexandra. “Why BMI Isn't The Best Measure for Weight (or Health).” Time, 26 Aug.
2013, healthland.time.com/2013/08/26/why-bmi-isnt-the-best-measure-for-weight-or-
health/.