Client: “My Doctor says I'm obese or overweight according to my BMI” (Body Mass Index). Is it tr

For many of my clients this can be completely false. The BMI scale is designed to accumulate information from large groups of people in certain areas or demographics. The information is best used in studies that need a high volume of data that is easily accessible. BMI needs two simple forms of measurement, height and weight, making it very easy to attain such data. If I am trying to figure out the obesity rate of Massachusetts vs. Louisiana, the BMI scale will be my best option.

Determining if an individual is obese or overweight on BMI alone is ridiculous!

Body fat percentage is the true determining factor when considering if an individual is overweight or obese. (Measured with skin fold caliper, underwater weighing, DEXA, and other methods.)

The bottom line: The BMI scale does not account for muscle and bone density.

According to the BMI scale the 1970’s version of Arnold Schwarzenegger would have been considered obese.

This is not the main number you should chase. So don't sweat it.