Why we're saying goodbye to ВМІ

Prevention and our sister publication Good Housekeeping will not be using BODY MASS INDEX in our discussions of health anymore. Here's what's behind our decision.

- ADELE JACKSON-GIBSON

For so many of us, discussions of our F body mass index (BMI) with our Il doctors are distressing-so much importance is placed on this number. "The normative approach to health care right now is that BMI is one of the distinct measures of health, says Maria C. Monge, M.D., an eating-disorder specialist at Dell Children's Medical Center. Your BMI, whether "too high," "too low," or "healthy" is treated as if it matters greatly.

But many experts now believe that the way BMI is used may lead to more harm than good. Calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters squared), BMI puts you in one of four categories: "underweight, "normal," "overweight," or "obese."

This is an oversimplification that may encourage health practitioners to view "excessive" body fat as the cause of disease rather than as something that may exist alongside it, says Elizabeth Wassenaar, M.D., M.S., CEDS, a regional medical director at the Eating Recovery Center. "Humans are much more complex than a series of calculations, and the physiology of health, wellness, and unwellness is very complicated," says Dr. Wassenaar.

WHY BMI IS NOT A GOOD MEASURE OF HEALTH

Below are just a few reasons Prevention is pledging to avoid BMI when we cover health and weight; if we must refer to it, we will point out its limitations.

BMI WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO ASSESS HEALTH