4 ms·

BMI is a good indicator of whether you're over or underweight, which is an indicator of health and eating habits. I'd be interested to see the results of this b

by Flankk 17y ago

BMI is a good indicator of whether you're over or underweight, which is an indicator of health and eating habits. I'd be interested to see the results of this but I can't see there being any correlation.

byrneseyeview 17y ago
That's true. BMI can reveal if people are dangerously underweight, and not eating enough food, leading to excess deaths: http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2008/08/obesity-apocalypse.html http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2008/08/obesity-apocalypse.htm... Oddly enough, you'll notice that the "normal" weight is actually more fatal than many "obese" weights. I suspect that there will be a correlation. People on the extremes -- malnourished or morbidly obese -- may have distracting health issues. But in the middle ranges, other health variables would probably give you a better idea.
- tumult 17y ago
  that link runs NSFW ads, look out
Retric 17y ago
IMO the real problem with BMI is it relates volume to a linear dimention squared. So short fat people, and tall skinny people can have the same BMI. Changing to ((Hight ^3) / weight) would correct for this. It works ok for people in the 5 - 6 foot range, but you can't really compare the BMI of someone 4'5" to someone 6'6".
- HeyLaughingBoy 17y ago
  It also doesn't work well if you're muscular. When I was really into bodybuilding, my BMI always indicated I was either obese, or borderline obese since I wasn't tall and muscle is very dense. Used to get a good laugh at that.
  - timf 17y ago
    Definitely, muscle mass was one of my main points. BMI tries to indicate body fat percentage but fails somewhat miserably for a lot of people. A better thing is to have a real body fat percentage number.
    - Retric 17y ago
      BMI is a poor indicator of overall heath. However, because it's easy to find someone’s weight and height it's often used as a poor substitute for a wide range of things. Especially when looking at large populations. Muscle mass is not really less harmful than body fat when looking at many diseases. Often what’s really important is your fitness level at other times it’s just a question of your mass. EX: Your hips don't really care about body fat v muscle mass it's all just weight to them. PS: I would suggest individuals ignore BMI and talk with their doctor to find both their ideal weight, and what a reasanable range for their body type is.
      - timf 17y ago
        Yeah, I deliberately wrote "this aspect of health" (how "overweight" you are) and am avoiding commenting on overall health, it's a whole other issue (and I think it is impossible to get enough good data from a population of startup founders to even begin to say anything in general about them).
kingkongrevenge 17y ago
I guess BMI isn't horrible, but what you really want to measure for any meaningful indicator of health is body fat percentage and strength. It's pretty easy to test both of these things. BMI also has problems with race. Blacks have naturally higher muscle mass and get false overweight signals. Asians have naturally lower muscle mass and get false healthy weight signals.
dusklight 17y ago
A good bodybuilder would have a high BMI, but it's all muscle, so BMI is not always a good indicator of health. Personally I totally see the possibility of correlation. The habits and personality that allows one to stay in good shape are totally helpful towards creating a successful startup. Furthermore the willingness to spend time on taking care of your body as well as your company indicates a wideness of perspective that definitely helps in determining the long-term direction of the company.

by Flankk 17y ago

byrneseyeview 17y ago

That's true. BMI can reveal if people are dangerously underweight, and not eating enough food, leading to excess deaths: http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2008/08/obesity-apocalypse.html http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2008/08/obesity-apocalypse.htm... Oddly enough, you'll notice that the "normal" weight is actually more fatal than many "obese" weights. I suspect that there will be a correlation. People on the extremes -- malnourished or morbidly obese -- may have distracting health issues. But in the middle ranges, other health variables would probably give you a better idea.

tumult 17y ago
that link runs NSFW ads, look out

Retric 17y ago

IMO the real problem with BMI is it relates volume to a linear dimention squared. So short fat people, and tall skinny people can have the same BMI. Changing to ((Hight ^3) / weight) would correct for this. It works ok for people in the 5 - 6 foot range, but you can't really compare the BMI of someone 4'5" to someone 6'6".

HeyLaughingBoy 17y ago
It also doesn't work well if you're muscular. When I was really into bodybuilding, my BMI always indicated I was either obese, or borderline obese since I wasn't tall and muscle is very dense. Used to get a good laugh at that.
- timf 17y ago
  Definitely, muscle mass was one of my main points. BMI tries to indicate body fat percentage but fails somewhat miserably for a lot of people. A better thing is to have a real body fat percentage number.
  - Retric 17y ago
    BMI is a poor indicator of overall heath. However, because it's easy to find someone’s weight and height it's often used as a poor substitute for a wide range of things. Especially when looking at large populations. Muscle mass is not really less harmful than body fat when looking at many diseases. Often what’s really important is your fitness level at other times it’s just a question of your mass. EX: Your hips don't really care about body fat v muscle mass it's all just weight to them. PS: I would suggest individuals ignore BMI and talk with their doctor to find both their ideal weight, and what a reasanable range for their body type is.
    - timf 17y ago
      Yeah, I deliberately wrote "this aspect of health" (how "overweight" you are) and am avoiding commenting on overall health, it's a whole other issue (and I think it is impossible to get enough good data from a population of startup founders to even begin to say anything in general about them).

kingkongrevenge 17y ago

I guess BMI isn't horrible, but what you really want to measure for any meaningful indicator of health is body fat percentage and strength. It's pretty easy to test both of these things. BMI also has problems with race. Blacks have naturally higher muscle mass and get false overweight signals. Asians have naturally lower muscle mass and get false healthy weight signals.

dusklight 17y ago

A good bodybuilder would have a high BMI, but it's all muscle, so BMI is not always a good indicator of health. Personally I totally see the possibility of correlation. The habits and personality that allows one to stay in good shape are totally helpful towards creating a successful startup. Furthermore the willingness to spend time on taking care of your body as well as your company indicates a wideness of perspective that definitely helps in determining the long-term direction of the company.