Why I Don't Focus Solely on BMI
You’ve probably heard of BMI (Body Mass Index) before; but if you haven’t, it’s the number that tells you whether you fall into a category of “underweight”, “normal weight”, “overweight”, or “obese.” BMI follows a simple formula using your height and weight to spit out a number, which is why it’s often used by health professionals. The idea behind it is that it can give a quick snapshot of someone’s overall health, but here’s where things get tricky.
What is BMI & Why Does It Matter?
BMI has been around since the early 19th century and was originally meant to track weight trends in large populations. It’s fairly easy to calculate and gives a quick snapshot of whether someone might be at a higher risk for things like heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. That’s why it still shows up in health conversations, but it really only makes sense when you look at it in context.
You see, BMI doesn’t tell the whole story. In fact, when we hyper-focus on BMI as the end-all-be-all for health, it can lead to more harm than good.
The Problem with Relying on BMI Alone
BMI doesn’t account for muscle mass. You can be incredibly fit with a high amount of muscle, and still get classified as “overweight” or even “obese” by BMI standards. It doesn’t distinguish between fat and muscle, so someone with a higher muscle mass may get unfairly judged by their number.
BMI ignores other health indicators. Health and wellness is multifaceted. Your BMI won’t tell you anything about your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, mental health, or lifestyle habits. So, you could have a “normal” BMI and still be in poor health if, for example, you’re nutritional plan is lacking or you’re not managing stress properly.
BMI promotes weight obsession. Let’s be real, focusing too heavily on BMI can drive people toward unreliable, and even toxic, behaviors in pursuit of a lower number. This can look like disordered eating, over-exercising, or obsessing over numbers on the scale, all of which can negatively impact overall well-being.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying BMI has no place. It can still serve as one piece of the puzzle when assessing health risks, but we need to stop treating it like the only piece. When we focus solely on BMI, we miss out on the bigger picture of what it means to be truly well. Health is not just about numbers on a chart. It’s about how you feel, how your body functions, and how you engage with life.
What to Focus on Instead
If we move away from obsessing over BMI, then what do we focus on? Here are a few things to track that are far more supportive when it comes to our overall health and wellness:
Body composition: Instead of just measuring weight, we can look at muscle mass, fat percentage, and even bone density to get a clearer picture of our physical health.
Energy levels: Consider asking yourself, “How do I feel day to day?” or “Am I energized or always tired?”. Energy is a great indicator of whether your body is being nourished in a supportive way.
Mental well-being: Emotional and mental health play a massive role in overall wellness. Stress management, emotional regulation, and a sense of fulfillment are just as important as physical health, yet it often goes overlooked.
Physical abilities: Check in with regular with questions like, “Can I move freely?” or “Do I feel strong, flexible, and mobile?”. These abilities often tell you more about your health than any number, especially since they evolve with age, unlike BMI.
Holistic lifestyle: Reflect on your whole health by asking yourself, “What habits do I have in place that support my overall wellness?”. This includes your nutrition, sleep quality, movement, and self-care routines.
Final Thoughts
BMI might still have a role in public health or as a rough health indicator, but for personal wellness, we’re better off taking a more well-rounded approach. It’s time to focus less on a single number and more on how we’re feeling, what we’re capable of, and how we’re nourishing our bodies, minds, and souls. I favor holistic health because it isn’t about fitting into a box; it’s about creating a lifestyle that supports you fully, inside and out.
If you want to share your thoughts, send Kiley an email at info.khhllc@gmail.com
