Posted on Aug 29, 2015
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/cp/summer-of-science-2015/latest/how-often-is-bmi-misleading?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

We've spoken a lot about Height/Weight Standards, and the "Tape Test" being inaccurate measures of health. Linked is an article, with some interesting data. It appears that the magic number is 18% (approximate 1 in 5).

Presented for discussion.
Posted in these groups: Height and weight logo Height and WeightLogo no word s FitnessHealthheart Health
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Responses: 7
Col Squadron Commander
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Interesting read. I am not a fan of the tape test.
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CSM Command Sergeant Major
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Edited 8 y ago
Well, it all depends on which branch of the service you are speaking about; really the only correct method that has been documented medically is the immersion test that the USAF utilizes, this test is actually the only way to attain exact data on body fat vs. actual muscle, etc.; the other tests are very subjective, and leave too much room for error. The "pinch" test is the second test I would trust somewhat; again its still subjective, as the person administering the test can easily skew the results, but its still better than the "tape" test, which is not an accurate measurement for body fat; this has been documented by the medical profession for years.
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1LT Joe Baker
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BMI was created to evaluate total populations, not individuals.
http://www.cutthewaist.com/bmi.html
"Although BMI is a useful measurement across populations, it is increasingly apparent that BMI has significant limitations in the assessment of the individual as it does not take into account the distribution of body fat."
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LTC Paul Labrador
LTC Paul Labrador
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BMI is also based on an arbitrary "ideal body type".....which in this case was that of a 20 year old mesomoprhic white male....
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