Interesting how one of the measures was to raise the BMI from 30 to 40 as one measure of being Obese. Yet its also mentioned that you could have a BMI under 30 but be obese. And yes they're adding in a different measure to pick that up, but I don't see why it should be raised from 30 - 40, unless there is a large cohort of people who present with a BMI of 30 but have significant muscle mass to make the label of obese incorrect.
I'd rather the BMI figure be overly cautious than not cautious enough. I'd say if most people have a BMI of 30 it not because of muscle mass, but due to a lack there of.
itopaloglu83•11m ago
BMI isn't a good indicator for obesity for individuals with higher muscle mass, this issue surfaces multiple times a year, because a lot of manual labor professionals and law enforcement shows up as obese in their annual checkups.
The solution is not to change the BMI scale but use alternative ones that takes the muscle mass and subliminal/visceral fat accumulation into consideration. We're supposed to forecast someone's likelihood for weight related issues, and muscle is not the problem there.
mitchbob•1h ago
Not to be conspiratorial, but I'm reminded of when recommended cholesterol levels were reduced significantly, right around the time statins became widely available. Are we now seeing something similar with the availability of GLP-1 drugs? I wouldn't be surprised if the pharmaceutical industry, which stands to sell more drugs as a result of this change, is using its influence here. But I also recognize that the changes might be entirely beneficial. Are there studies that compare (1) outcomes that result from weight loss with the new drugs with (2) outcomes of weight loss without the drugs, and also with (3) outcomes without weight loss? I can imagine that outcomes for (2) could be superior if they're the result of better nutrition and more exercise.
NoPicklez•1h ago
I'd rather the BMI figure be overly cautious than not cautious enough. I'd say if most people have a BMI of 30 it not because of muscle mass, but due to a lack there of.
itopaloglu83•11m ago
The solution is not to change the BMI scale but use alternative ones that takes the muscle mass and subliminal/visceral fat accumulation into consideration. We're supposed to forecast someone's likelihood for weight related issues, and muscle is not the problem there.