What Your BMI Doesn’t Tell You
5 min read
Forget what you thought you knew about BMI (body mass index). Sure, it’s a basic tool based on your height and weight that’s used to determine if you’re in a healthy weight range. But is it really the best way to size up your shape?
Broken down into four categories, BMI is nice and simple:
- Underweight: BMI below 18.5
- Normal: BMI of 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: BMI of 25 to 29.9
- Obese: BMI of 30 or higher
Experts like Richard L. Atkinson, MD, say that for most people, BMI is a fine general measure of obesity. Critics, however, argue that basing obesity solely on size is old-fashioned and not very helpful. Scott Kahan, a weight management expert, thinks that measuring BMI is only the start when it comes to assessing health risks.
Kahan points out that BMI doesn’t reveal anything about your body’s muscle vs. fat makeup. It might not be the best measure, especially for assessing muscle mass, activity level, or health risks. For more detailed information, click here

