Criticism surrounds the body mass index (BMI) as a diagnostic tool for obesity, with experts arguing that it fails to accurately assess an individual’s overall health. A Lancet-commissioned group has denounced BMI, suggesting doctors should consider other factors beyond just weight and height.
The issue with BMI lies in its inability to distinguish between muscle and fat, which is crucial in predicting heart disease risk. Research suggests that if the definition of obesity were based on high-percentage body fat, up to half of individuals classified as overweight or obese by BMI would be reclassified as non-obese.
A 2,000-year-old idea from ancient Greece can provide a more accurate assessment of health risks. Archimedes’ principle states that an object’s weight is equal to the buoyant force it experiences when submerged in water. By measuring the difference in weight while sitting on a chair and underwater, researchers can estimate an individual’s volume and body fat percentage.
This approach, though not as straightforward as BMI measurements, offers a more comprehensive assessment of health risks. It’s essential to adopt alternative methods that better capture the complexities of human physiology.
Source: https://theconversation.com/forget-bmi-theres-a-2-000-year-old-technique-for-measuring-body-fat-thats-more-useful-247477