The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a flawed measure of health. BMI was originally developed in the 1830s by an astronomer with his main goal being to measure population density, not an individual’s health. This formula is also based on a white man, and lacks any study regarding people of other races or genders. BMI has no way to determine what is muscle, what is fat, and what is bone density, and the formula is written where it frames taller people as bigger. Also, BMI is a two-dimensional formula and healthcare systems are using it for our three-dimensional bodies.

 Using BMI as a health indicator has led to widespread misinformation about what constitutes true health, misleading both patients and doctors alike.

The World Health Organization defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Yet, our current system relies heavily on BMI - an oversimplified metric that does not account for muscle mass, bone density, overall body composition or racial differences.

A study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that nearly half (47.4%) of Americans classified as overweight by BMI are metabolically healthy (Tomiyama et al., 2016). Conversely, more than 30% classified as 'normal' weight were found to be metabolically unhealthy. Health ≠ size.

Our reliance on this outdated tool perpetuates harmful stereotypes and can lead to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment plans. It's time we move towards more comprehensive measures of health that consider all aspects - physical, mental and social.

I will also note my personal experience. For many years I have been in treatment for anorexia, treatment ranging from inpatient hospitalization to residential treatment centers to partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient. I am fortunate enough to have received high levels of care. I have had many doctors and dietitians create a recovery plan for me, including a “biologically appropriate weight.” This weight that my team of trustworthy and experienced professionals have taken all of my current health and health history to create is considered obese to the BMI formula. However according to my health history and current health, it would not be biologically appropriate for my weight to fall below what BMI calls obese. This has been a struggle for me recovering from my eating disorder. Knowing there’s a health indicator out there labeling me as obese is triggering and causes a lot of distress for me.

 BMI is a way our health system currently validates eating disorders and disordered thinking.

Join us in urging healthcare providers to abandon the use of BMI as an indicator of individual health. Sign this petition today!