Posted September 19, 2014
In 1832, a Belgian mathematician named Adolphe Quetelet developed what is today known as the body mass index (BMI).1 The formula divides a person’s weight by the square of his height, and is one of the most commonly used measures of excess weight, obesity, and overall health….Your doctor may use this number to advise you on your weight, as well as your risk of related conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, BMI is an incredibly flawed tool, and a high BMI doesn’t automatically mean you’re unhealthy, the way many physicians and health insurance companies imply that it does. Read more.