New research shows that 39% of the American population are thought to be just slightly over the recommended weight and this percentage has been gauged using the Body Mass Index (BMI) but the real figure is thought to be higher. Researchers think that BMI is inaccurate and have renamed it the Baloney Mass Index.
This research reveals that evaluating someone’s height in relation to their weight is inaccurate and will not account for the level of fat on the individual. The study’s authors found that out of 9,000 adults, 65% were classed obese by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Scans (DXA scans). These expensive scans measure accurately fat on the body (and its distribution), bone density and muscle mass all at the same time. Out of these 9,000 patients, only 26% were classified as obese using BMI as a method of calculation.
The author’s suggest that instead of expensive scans, levels of leptin, a natural protein in the body, should be evaluated since these levels are strongly linked to body fat. Using this measure with the BMI calculations will provide for a more accurate estimate of whether someone is obese or not.
Whilst interesting, this is not exactly news. We wrote about this years ago and suggested that a hip/waist ratio was actually a more accurate measure of whether a patient is overweight or not but BMI continues to be used.