Built Like an Asian American
Nov. 17th, 2015 12:42 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
livingdebMy personal health book has a chapter on weight management.
Of course the author couldn't resist bringing up the controversial body mass index (BMI). Hilariously, she introduces it after this sentence: "Rather than rely on a range of ideal weights for various heights, as they did in the past, medical experts use various methods to assess body composition and weight." Um, using BMI is relying on a range of ideal weights for various heights.
But the BMI section nevertheless had something very interesting: a list of people it doesn't work for. I knew about muscular people, but they also list:
* growing children
* pregnant women
* nursing women
* the elderly
* Asians
The elderly? I can't imagine what that's all about, so I did some research. Apparently, after age 65, you get to/should weigh more.
Officially on average, the ideal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9. But for people over age 65, health problems happen with BMI below 23 and above 33.
Possible reasons I've read about include:
* higher susceptibility to undernutrition
* higher risk for hip fractures from falls (higher weight protects bones)
Asians? Apparently they are naturally supposed to be smaller. I think I might fit their numbers better than the numbers for my heritage.
Of course the author couldn't resist bringing up the controversial body mass index (BMI). Hilariously, she introduces it after this sentence: "Rather than rely on a range of ideal weights for various heights, as they did in the past, medical experts use various methods to assess body composition and weight." Um, using BMI is relying on a range of ideal weights for various heights.
But the BMI section nevertheless had something very interesting: a list of people it doesn't work for. I knew about muscular people, but they also list:
* growing children
* pregnant women
* nursing women
* the elderly
* Asians
The elderly? I can't imagine what that's all about, so I did some research. Apparently, after age 65, you get to/should weigh more.
Officially on average, the ideal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9. But for people over age 65, health problems happen with BMI below 23 and above 33.
Possible reasons I've read about include:
* higher susceptibility to undernutrition
* higher risk for hip fractures from falls (higher weight protects bones)
Asians? Apparently they are naturally supposed to be smaller. I think I might fit their numbers better than the numbers for my heritage.
no subject
on 2015-11-17 06:41 pm (UTC)So I'm not sure what to make of it other than that Asian people must simply be built differently! :-)
-Cat
no subject
on 2015-11-18 05:04 am (UTC)