3 ms·
While for individual cases clinicians shouldn't rely on BMI much, and only use it for screening, in studies it makes sense to use it because it's a useful tool.
by flavius29663 3y ago
While for individual cases clinicians shouldn't rely on BMI much, and only use it for screening, in studies it makes sense to use it because it's a useful tool. A person with a BMI of 30 is almost always fatter than a person with a BMI of 20. The outliers (like athletes with big bones) wouldn't change the statistical analysis.
It's in the same boat with IQ, it's a useful tool if you accept it has limited uses.
- riddley 3y agoExcept it's completely not (neither are.) BMI can't distinguish between fat and muscle which is enough to disqualify it from any serious consideration. IQ is similarly simplistic and attempts to measure something for which we don't even have an agreed-upon definition.