On Good Fat, Bad Fat, and the Problems With BMI
Today, the terms “obese” and “overweight” have precise medical definitions based on how much someone weighs relative to their height, but this is a modern formulation. Until recently, people knew their height but almost no one could measure their weight,
The concept of "obese" and "overweight" is based on a mathematical formula known as the Body Mass Index (BMI), which compares a person's weight to their height. This method began to be used after the mass production of inexpensive bathroom scales in the late 19th century. The index was initially referred to as "Quetelet's index" after its creator, Belgian mathematician Adolphe Quetelet.
Quetelet did not intend for his index to measure obesity, but insurance companies later found it useful for assessing risk and profitability.
Despite its widespread use, BMI has significant limitations. It does not differentiate between fat and muscle, nor does it account for differences in body composition based on age, sex, or ethnicity. This can lead to misclassification, as muscular individuals may be categorized as overweight, while others may be underestimated. Furthermore, BMI is not a comprehensive measure of health, as it does not consider factors like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or fitness.
In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the importance of fat in human health and evolution. Fat provides essential energy and serves various functions in the body, including insulation, protection of organs, and hormone production. It is also a crucial aspect of human evolution, as our ancestors relied on fat-rich foods for survival. Therefore, a more holistic approach to understanding obesity should include a comprehensive analysis of fat and its role in the body.
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