Strengths and limitations of BMI
BMI and body fat
Body mass index (BMI) is associated with but is not a direct measure of body fat. Therefore, it is useful in screening for obesity, but is not a diagnostic measure of obesity and does not displace clinical judgement.
BMI and risk
BMI’s association with health risk is inconsistent and varies with age, sex, and ethnicity, and it does not assess risk related to body fat distribution.
BMI and comorbidity
BMI does not assess the concomitant presence of comorbid conditions, disease risks, or functionality.
The Edmonton Obesity Staging System assesses co-occurring medical, mental, or functional clinical risk factors, but gives each complication equal weight despite differences in the risk of severe disease, the risk of mortality, and costs.
BMI and Obesity
Much debate is occurring about how to use the term ‘obesity’ and whether the term itself is stigmatising, but a large body of technical support exists for the diagnosis.
Other resource
More information here: Dietz, 2023
