# Embracing Body Positivity: Rethinking the Role of BMI in Health

American athlete Ilona Maher recently made headlines with her viral TikTok video addressing body shaming and the limitations of the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure of health. Maher, a U.S. women’s rugby player, responded to a social media commenter who inaccurately guessed her BMI, sparking a much-needed conversation about the flaws of BMI as a health metric.

## What Dietitians Say About BMI

We reached out to several dietitians for their insights on the topic, and here’s what they had to say:

– Joanna Gregg, Registered Dietitian, emphasized the importance of loving and appreciating one’s body for its capabilities rather than focusing on BMI or weight.
– Katherine Basbaum, Registered Dietitian, highlighted how BMI is just a number and should not be used to judge an individual’s health or fitness level.
– Stephanie Nelson, MyFitnessPal Lead Nutrition Scientist & Registered Dietitian, echoed Maher’s sentiments, emphasizing that BMI does not define a person’s worth or health.
– Brookell White, Registered Dietitian, emphasized that BMI does not account for muscle mass or body fat percentage and may not be accurate for athletes.
– Daisy Mercer, Registered Dietitian, stressed the importance of looking at the big picture and understanding that BMI does not reflect overall health.

## What is BMI?

BMI is a mathematical formula that divides a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. While it is used by the World Health Organization to classify individuals into weight categories, BMI has limitations, especially for athletes. It fails to differentiate between muscle mass and fat, leading to skewed results for individuals with higher muscle mass.

According to dietitian Stephanie Nelson, BMI is a simple height-to-weight comparison and does not consider factors like muscle mass, health, or lifestyle. While useful for population-level weight analysis, BMI should not be the sole determinant of an individual’s health status.

## What Should You Focus On Instead?

Instead of solely relying on BMI, consider other indicators of health and fitness, such as body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, diet quality, lifestyle habits, and physiological risk factors like blood glucose and cholesterol levels. These factors provide a more comprehensive view of overall health than BMI alone.

Tracking meals and nutritional intake can also offer valuable insights into your eating habits and nutritional balance. Using apps like MyFitnessPal can help you monitor your diet and make informed decisions about your nutrition.

In conclusion, Maher’s video serves as a powerful reminder that BMI does not define a person’s capabilities or worth. Understanding health goes beyond a single number and requires a holistic approach that considers various factors beyond BMI or weight. Embracing body positivity and focusing on overall health and wellness are key to living a fulfilling and healthy life.

If you are looking to track your meals and nutrition intake, download the MyFitnessPal app for free today and take control of your health journey.