Is BMI a Scam? Experts Call It ‘Misleading Science,’ Raises Concern Over Its Use in Health Tech, Wearables, and MORE

BMI or the "Body Mass Index" has been a center of debate for years now, and some have said that it is a "scam" or a "misleading science" that is still being used by many today. From wearable technologies to fitness apps and health experts, some of them still consider the height and weight of a person and bases their health on it.

Health assessments usually focus on the BMI, as it is one of the easiest records that people can get and see when having their health checked and having an educated guess from a doctor or expert. Apart from other tests, BMI is considered especially when looking into chronic diseases like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and more.

BMI a 'Misleading Science?'

According to Medical Device Network, several studies have looked into BMI, being an unreliable form of science and medical assessment on a person or patient. Moreover, it has led a lot of experts to believe one thing from the other, as the BMI has told them that the person's condition might be caused by the body mass index.

This has been massive in taking on diseases or causes of obesity, anorexia, bulimia, and other weight-related concerns, but it is not for all or should be the basis of all.

According to a 2016 study published in Nature Communications by the International Journal of Obesity, people that have been classified as overweight or obese are "metabolically healthy." They also have no serious conditions which they face with regards or as a result of their body weight.

That being said, BMI is not "everything" when it comes to health assessments and a person's weight or body structure, as it is simply something that is a basis or a general guide. Sometimes, it can mislead even experts into thinking that a person is at risk for morbid or chronic diseases, something which can lead to serious problems.

Is BMI Reliable?

BMI is a general guide and only a basis when performing a health assessment, or should be treated as one, instead of being the defining factor with regards to health conditions.

People should look more into deeper checkups or specific ones to know a suspected condition or illness which they carry, and should not be all attributed to weight, physique, and physical state.

However, that does not mean BMI should be phased out or removed, as it can still be massive reliability for fitness and wellness.

BMI and Modern Wearable Tech, Apps

Fitbit and other wearable tech are known for using BMI as their basis for fitness and wellness, as well as handling the cases of the people that use the smartwatch. Moreover, it focuses on that, as it is one of the few metrics that the watch can focus on or assess about a person.

Nevertheless, BMI should be more of a general guide and not something which this technology takes seriously or prioritizes as it can only tell so little about a person. Here is the good reason why apps connected to smartwatches should be filled completely and seriously, to tell more of a person to the technology.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard