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> The question isn't "is there a correlation?", but "is the correlation between BMI and body fat stronger or weaker than for other estimators of body fat?". As
by streptomycin 14y ago
> The question isn't "is there a correlation?", but "is the correlation between BMI and body fat stronger or weaker than for other estimators of body fat?".
As I've been repeatedly saying, the other estimators of body fat are much more difficult to calculate. Most people already know their height and weight. Most people don't know their waist circumference and have absolutely no idea how to calculate BF%. That's why sites like this use BMI, so that their visitors can gain some information rather than no information.
- dredmorbius 14y agoI'll simply note a very strong disagreement that people don't know, or can't readily obtain, their waist measurement. Particularly in a setting at which they'd be particularly interested in some measure of general fitness: doctor's office, clinic, gym, health fair, etc. Which means that your statement that other measures are harder to obtain or less accurate is simply false. Among the problems of BMI is that it is official health policy. It's the definition of obesity according to the US government. It's the basis of insurance coverage / premium assessments and other abuses. Changing policy would mean that doctors' offices would measure your height and waist, to give a far more accurate fitness assessment. Over time, epidemiologists would have this dataset generally available. Really. It's long past time to retire BMI. Why are you so wedded to it?