Why BMI Isn’t the Best Measure of Health

Helaina Morgan, a finalist in Miss Great Britain, recently spoke out against BMI as a health measurement, explaining that BMI wrongly classifies her as “obese” despite her active lifestyle and balanced body composition.

Her story highlights the outdated nature of BMI, especially for women with diverse body types and ethnic backgrounds, as it fails to account for factors like muscle mass, body fat distribution, and overall wellness.

BMI, or Body Mass Index, was designed over 200 years ago as a quick measure for categorizing population-level health trends, not individual health. It calculates weight in relation to height but doesn’t take into consideration actual body composition or health.

For example, it doesn’t distinguish between fat and muscle weight, meaning that people with higher muscle mass often get categorized as “overweight” or “obese.”

This broad, one-size-fits-all approach can negatively impact mental health and self-esteem, particularly when people see a label that doesn’t match their lived reality or sense of well-being.

A Better Approach: Waist-to-Height Ratio and Body Fat Percentage

One alternative is the waist-to-height ratio, a more precise indicator of health risk that focuses on abdominal fat. Studies show that excessive abdominal fat is a more direct predictor of health risks like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

A waist-to-height ratio of less than 0.5 is considered a healthy range for most adults. Unlike BMI, this measurement reflects fat stored around vital organs and provides a clearer picture of potential health risks.

Body fat percentage is another valuable metric. Unlike BMI, which just focuses on total weight, body fat percentage shows how much of that weight is actually fat.

A healthy range varies based on age and gender but can provide a better sense of how lifestyle choices impact health. It’s more inclusive of people with different body types and muscle densities, giving a clearer look at overall health.

Holistic Health: Why Wellness Shouldn’t Be Defined by a Number

Beyond physical metrics, wellness encompasses mental, emotional, and social well-being. Helaina, for example, exercises regularly, enjoys her active lifestyle, and takes a balanced approach to her health — all of which reflect her dedication to personal wellness.

This holistic perspective emphasizes that wellness should go beyond a single measurement.

Instead of focusing on BMI, paying attention to energy levels, mental clarity, and quality of life is a more realistic measure of overall health.

Helaina’s story is a reminder that we’re all different, and our health shouldn’t be confined to an outdated measure. We can each benefit from a more inclusive approach to health that respects unique bodies, honors cultural and genetic diversity, and promotes wellness over a specific number on a chart.