How Accurate is BMI in Measuring Body Fat?

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This article discusses the history of BMI and how emerging research is suggesting that it is not the most accurate measure of body fat. Studies have found that people with excess internal body fat can have BMI’s that are on the lower end of a healthy weight range. Also, those with high BMI could have little excess body fat. It also points out how BMI does not take into account age, health conditions, and distribution of body fat. Clinical dietitians need to see the whole picture and relay more on measurements to accurately decide whether or not weight loss is needed. Although the measurements may take more time, it yields far more accurate results. It is also the role of dietitians to explain this to patients and other health care providers who may not fully understand how BMI is calculated and why it can sometimes provide an unreliable number.

 

More information is provided in the link below:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/14/a-number-that-may-not-add-up/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1&

 

 

-AA

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