Research has shown that using BMI to determine health overestimates the number of unhealthy people.
Since individuals with a higher body mass index are more likely to have health problems, it has been presumed that higher weight is the cause of specific diseases with weight loss being the solution. A recent story from the University of Georgia website headlined, shows that using BMI to determine health overestimates the number of unhealthy people. Instead, healthcare providers should be looking at improving cardiometabolic health to best help their patients.
Historically, medical schools have taught the use of BMI to gauge patients’ health status. This may be problematic for more than one reason. Weight stigma is a type of discrimination that wrongly connects obesity with laziness and overconsumption not taking into account the more valid biological and systemic factors that impact weight. Bias that may lead physicians and other health care providers to be less empathetic towards overweight and obese patients can result in lower quality medical care. Studies have shown that the burden of weight stigma and associated stress may be more detrimental to health than being obese.
A 2021 survey of medical schools in the United States and the United Kingdom, published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, found that most medical students receive an average of 11 hours of nutrition training. Much of this training is focused on the science of nutrition, not the practical aspects that are needed to personalize nutrition recommendations.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rethinking BMI: New Research Suggests Lower Obesity Threshold for Adults Over 40Science, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »
Why Some People Can’t Stop Eating: Scientists Discover Unique Brain Circuit Linked to BMIScience, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »
Scottsdale Research Institute leads global 'magic mushroom' research studyMultiple groups successfully advocated for the Legislature to approve the grant
Read more »
Research: Why We Choose the Hard Way to Do Tedious TasksIn life and at work, we often get stuck persisting in unpleasant activities even when more enjoyable and equally effective alternatives exist. Research shows this happens due to “entrenchment,” where repeating an activity blocks consideration of better options and makes you more likely to keep doing it.
Read more »
Research: Why Companies Should Disclose Their Lack of Progress on DEIMany companies have set goals to increase employee diversity, and many companies have fallen short of meeting their goals. Most leaders would likely prefer to keep this lack of progress quiet, but research shows that there may be benefits to being transparent about it.
Read more »
Why I pursued interdisciplinary research as an aspiring academic—despite the career risks“Having expertise in multiple disciplines is my superpower,” this professor writes
Read more »