This is a deeply personal plea. At 12 years old, I was diagnosed as slightly overweight by my pediatrician. Although I only had a bit of extra weight, the inadequacies of the Body Mass Index (BMI) classified me as overweight. My pediatrician advised me to lose weight, even though I was actually at a healthy weight. This flawed use of BMI led me down the damaging path of Anorexia which overtook my life.

The BMI simplifies a complex issue like body weight, reducing it to an unnuanced measurement. It doesn't differentiate between muscle and fat nor does it account for distribution of either. The National Institute of Health states that "BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build." It can also "underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle," leading to gross misunderstandings about body health (Source: National Institute of Health).

The result of this misuse of BMI can be dangerous. A 2012 study in the Journal of Clinical Nursing indicated that prejudice against overweight people can start in the medical community and this prejudice is often built on the simplistic measurement of BMI. This can potentially trigger mental health issues such as eating disorders (Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing).

We need to see an end to the use of BMI in medical settings. Instead, a more comprehensive approach should be used, including waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and the continuous monitoring of physical health. It's time to redraw the lines of our health measurements and to better safeguard the mental health of millions worldwide. I encourage anyone who has ever felt misrepresented or marginalized because of their BMI to support the cause. Please sign the petition to stop the use of BMI in medical settings.