Cammie

Part VI

      The Body Mass Index is a way of measuring body fat by using height and weight. It seems like a good way of letting us know if someone is underweight, yet it has its limitations. For instance, it may overestimate body fat in athletes because of their muscular build and may underestimate body fat in those persons, such as the elderly, who have lost muscle mass.

            There are many websites dedicated to calculating you BMI such as, http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/. It categorizes your weight into 4 levels; underweight, normal, overweight and allowed you to compare your body fat measure to that of the general population which is demonstrated in following chart,   

Here is an example of what the Body Mass Index would say are healthy and unhealthy weights for someone who is 5’9,

            The Body Mass Index chart isn’t intended for pregnant women, children and teenagers who are still growing because it can give inaccurate results. However, for those models who are teenagers, some starting as early as 15 years old, should the Body Mass Index chart be used on them to see of they meet the required weight regulations? To this question we should then respond, “Why do casting agents persist in using 15 and 16-year-olds to sell clothes to women in their thirties and upwards?” just as Lisa Armstrong, the Times fashion editor did.  

For more information concerning Body Mass Index, or on Lisa Armstrong, please visit the following websites:

http://www.medicdirect.co.uk/self_Exam/default.ihtml?step=5&cid=27   

http://www.caloriecontrol.org/bmi.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-2349467,00.html  

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