Question 402 of 433
Is my body mass index a good measure?
The short answer
It is a rough screening tool. Waist size and body composition tell you more.
A muscular person can have a high BMI and be healthy. A thin person with a soft belly can have a normal BMI and be metabolically unwell. After 70, being slightly heavier is associated with better survival, and unplanned weight loss is a warning sign that should always be investigated.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
OBSERVATIONAL / MEASUREMENT — BMI is a screening measure; older-adult weight associations do not prescribe intentional weight gain.Evidence grade (draft mapping)CObservationalPart 27, Q402 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.