The most important metric by which to measure the obesity problem is whatever metric is best suited to solving the obesity problem. If, of course, we're treating it like a public health campaign and not a moral crusade or an insurance rate issue.
LarryC wrote:Fitness is the most predictive of overall health. If you're obese on BMI but you can run a competitive Ironman without redlining at any time, you're probably pretty okay.
So what web site do I go to so I can find my "fitness"? Because that is what people want when using the BMI, a place they can just go look up their level. If knowing my "fitness" requires me to talk to my doctor and do any kind of tests, well then I don't see how it is better than the BMI.
It's better because measuring people on "fitness" means that random people don't come up to you and judge you for being "fat."
If you want something personal and convenient, Fitocracy will fit the bill.
farley3k wrote:LarryC wrote:Fitness is the most predictive of overall health. If you're obese on BMI but you can run a competitive Ironman without redlining at any time, you're probably pretty okay.
So what web site do I go to so I can find my "fitness"? Because that is what people want when using the BMI, a place they can just go look up their level. If knowing my "fitness" requires me to talk to my doctor and do any kind of tests, well then I don't see how it is better than the BMI.
It's better because measuring people on "fitness" means that random people don't come up to you and judge you for being "fat."
If you want something personal and convenient, Fitocracy will fit the bill.
I do understand what you mean but I think we are somehow trying to solve the wrong issue. The BMI is not the problem, the fact that people use the BMI with no other tools or consultation that is the problem. So saying "use fitness" doesn't really fix the actual problem.
A person's actual level of health is determined by a ton of factors and is unique to each person so global measures won't really help but that is what people like and want. So within the framework of giving people what they like and want the BMI is a fairly good tool.
No. It's really, really not. BMI is a tool for professionals because not knowing what it actually is can cause you to hurt yourself pretty darn bad. It's like using an ethylene torch to light your barbecue. It's the wrong tool, you're liable to hurt yourself, and there's a lot of times it leads to very ugly things.
No. It's really, really not. BMI is a tool for professionals because not knowing what it actually is can cause you to hurt yourself pretty darn bad. It's like using an ethylene welding torch to light your barbecue. It's the wrong tool, you're liable to hurt yourself, and there's a lot of times it leads to very ugly things.
No. It's really, really not. BMI is a tool for professionals because not knowing what it actually is can cause you to hurt yourself pretty darn bad. It's like using an ethylene welding torch to light your barbecue. It's the wrong tool, you're liable to hurt yourself, and there's a lot of times it leads to very ugly things.
LarryC wrote:Fitness is the most predictive of overall health. If you're obese on BMI but you can run a competitive Ironman without redlining at any time, you're probably pretty okay.
So what web site do I go to so I can find my "fitness"? Because that is what people want when using the BMI, a place they can just go look up their level. If knowing my "fitness" requires me to talk to my doctor and do any kind of tests, well then I don't see how it is better than the BMI.
Here's one of many of those websites that will help you do just that.
1: Take your resting pulse.
2: Exercise hard enough to make you sweat for 30 minutes.
3: Time how long it takes your pulse to return to it's initial resting pulse.
No. It's really, really not. BMI is a tool for professionals because not knowing what it actually is can cause you to hurt yourself pretty darn bad. It's like using an ethylene welding torch to light your barbecue. It's the wrong tool, you're liable to hurt yourself, and there's a lot of times it leads to very ugly things.
On the other hand, if an ethylene torch is all you have...it works!
Cheeze has the best answer I think. I won't defend BMI too strongly but I'll also keep using it as a crude tool for myself until another one that's as simple as (X / Y) can be developed.
I also still use the Mifflin St Jeor BMR calculator, despite clear issues with differences in metabolism and calories.
These are probably not bad standards.
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