The BMI number that is calculated just from weight and height is really just a number that tells us we need to go look at some other numbers. The other numbers are things like body fat percentage, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc. It is entirely possible for someone to have a “normal” BMI and still be very fat and unhealthy, and those people are pretty easy to identify visually, just as someone with a “high” BMI who is a powerlifter or something is very easy to visually identify.
Comment on doctors
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 1 day agoBeing fat is unhealthy
It’s funny, because the metrics we use to declare an individual “fat” loops in quite a few professional athletes.
medgremlin@midwest.social 21 hours ago
Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 21 hours ago
Being a professional athlete is terrible for long term health, but for different reasons. Sometimes there’s overlap like joint health though.
UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 21 hours ago
It’s terrible primarily because of risk of concussion and other injuries.
Also, because being - for instance - basketball height is hard on your body as you get older.
But telling LeBron James that he’s overweight and he’s going to die if he doesn’t lose weight does nothing of benefit. He’s not going to get any shorter and he’s not going to retire just so he can give up a professional’s career requirements.
starchylemming@lemmy.world 11 hours ago
bmi doesn’t apply to outliers like athletes and heavy weightlifers per design. it never did and was never supposed to
its for the regular joe, where its pretty good at telling you that you’re a fat fuck
trxxruraxvr@lemmy.world 1 day ago
If you’re referring to BMI yes, but doctors tend to use body fat percentage, at least where I live.