To BMI or not to BMI

Arnold Schwartzeneggor may seem like one of the most muscular men in politics, but according to his body mass index, BMI, he is morbidly obese. When men and women who have a heavily muscular build take tests like the BMI composition test, their results will many times be skewed. BMI only takes into account weight and height; nothing in between is accounted for so those raging biceps will most likely tip an athletic brute into an “at risk” category.

            With an indistinguishable difference between lean and fatty tissue swinging this test into apprehensive grounds, select companies have decided to use additional analysis to truly examine individuals. One of these elite companies is HealthCheck360 that uses not only the BMI test but also a waist measurement and a waist to hip ratio to further confirm a person’s composition health. By using all three of these tests in combination with a full blood panel to screen for biometric readings, HealthCheck360 can give accurate information to each participant who walks through the door.

            In this article posted on the New York Times’ website (NY Times BMI Article), the author brought up a common question that is quite the opposite of the problem Mr. Schwatzeneggor has: “Why am I fatter now even if my BMI has remained the same?” Lean muscle mass takes up far less space than its arch nemesis, fatty tissue. With this being said, a person’s waistline can continue to expand even if his or her body weight and BMI remain constant. Having more muscle may tip the scale a few pounds and push a BMI skyward, but how you look, my friend, will be for the better.

            In addition, muscle will decrease with age. For this reason and others, people need to build their own muscle through weight lifting and toning techniques to simply stay level from year to year. It is the older populations who experience the expanding waistline yet weight and BMI may decrease. Building muscle into the better years of life will also help support other organ systems and bone health.

            By combining a BMI with a waist to hip ratio and simple waist measurement, an individual will have a more accurate reading. Say “hasta la vista” to the lone BMI test, and “hello” to an accurate combination. 

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