BMI: When It’s Helpful & When It’s Not

Body mass index, or BMI, has long been used to gauge whether a person's weight falls in a healthy range, but people are rightly wondering whether the measurement makes sense for today's world. Do we need better ways to talk about weight? In this episode, we explore what the formula does and doesn't measure, when focusing on BMI can lead to misleading conclusions and practical tips for keeping tabs on our weight.Expert: Dr. Laura Choi, Weight Loss SurgeonInterviewer: Katie McCallumNotable topics covered:Is there even such a thing as an "ideal" weight?The "ancient" history of BMI, including what it measures and why it's so widely usedThe pros and cons of this measurementThe misleading conclusions that can come from relying on BMI aloneWhy BMI is used for certain medical diagnoses and treatment plansIf not BMI, how should you think about your weight?Alternatives to BMI: Could body roundness index (BRI) be a better tool?The importance of looking at trends (not single readings) when using a smart scaleBody fat isn't all bad: The value of having some fatty tissueNumber-free ways to think about your weightIf you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.