Concurring Opinions » Weighty Matters

Weighty Matters

Posted By Frank Pasquale On February 9, 2013 @ 2:20 pm In Health Law,Uncategorized | No Comments

Here is an interesting article on BMI ^[1] from the UK:

The body mass index has been around since Belgian scientist Adolphe Quetelet invented it in the 1830s and was designed to approximate whether people have a healthy weight. Nick Trefethen of Oxford University’s Mathematical Institute ^[2] has identified a flaw in the basic formula for BMI, and has created a new calculation which he says better accounts for the relationship between height and weight.

According to Mr Trefethen, the current formula to calculate the score (weight/height²) is incorrect because “it divides the weight by too large a number for short people, and too small a number for tall people. So short people are misled into thinking they are thinner than they are, and tall people are misled into thinking they are fatter than they are.”

Of course, even the new BMI isn’t that great an indicator. Dr. Robert Lustig argues ^[3] for a more granular approach, focused on visceral fat. Expect more controversy over biomarkers ^[4] and wellness programs, as well as the inevitable privacy concerns about close monitoring of weight, waistlines, and more ^[5].

Article printed from Concurring Opinions: http://www.concurringopinions.com

URL to article: http://www.concurringopinions.com/archives/2013/02/weighty-matters.html

URLs in this post:

[1] on BMI: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9816596/Interactive-calculator-do-you-win-or-lose-with-the-new-BMI.html

[2] Nick Trefethen of Oxford University’s Mathematical Institute: http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/science_blog/130116.html

[3] argues: http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-01-07/dr-robert-lustig-fat-chance-beating-odds-against-sugar-processed-food-obesity-and-d

[4] biomarkers: http://www.businessearth.com/prevention-treatment-biomarkers-changing-health-care/

[5] and more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2272166/Big-brother-log-drinking-habits-waist-size.html#axzz2JhXYhdJ3

Click here to print.