A new study has found that an individual's body mass index (BMI) is not a right way to determine their quality of health. The study was reported in the International Journal of Obesity.
According to the study, more than 54 million individuals in the United States were wrongly labelled as unhealthy depending on how high their BMIs are.
A. Janet Tomlyama, lead author of the study, said that several individuals see obesity as a death sentence. However, the data shows that there are millions of individuals who are obese and overweight and are perfectly healthy.
Scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles, examined data from the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. After the evaluation, researchers discovered that 47.4% of individuals who were considered obese or overweight were in fact healthy.
Also, they discovered that 30% of the individuals with normal BMIs were in fact unhealthy when other health markers were taken into account such as cholesterol levels, blood pressure and glucose levels.
Individuals with higher BMIs are forced to pay higher health care costs than individuals with normal BMIs regardless of their inner health status. The research has suggested that how the level of BMI is an incorrect way of determining the health of an individual.
Individuals are considered to be healthy when their BMI comes within the range of 18.5 to 24.9. An individual with a BMI of 18.5 and lower is considered underweight. On the other hand, an individual with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 and 30 or higher is considered obese and overweight.
Tomlyama said that there are healthy individuals who could be penalized depending on an incorrect health measure, whereas the unhealthy individuals of normal weight will not get charged more for their health insurance. Insurance companies, policy makers and employers should concentrate on real health markers.
Previous research by Tomiyama found no connection between health improvements and weight loss related to blood glucose levels, diabetes, cholesterol and hypertension.
The study suggests that individuals should focus on regular exercise and a healthy diet, instead of putting emphasis on weight, The Telegraph reported.
Apples, almonds, blueberries, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, sweet potatoes, avocados, wheat germ and oatmeal are some of the healthy foods.