Is Bmi An Effective Way Of Measuring Obesity?

[ToraToraTora]

For Ummmm and mikey et al.

[jackthehat]

It is one of the ways used by the medical profession to measure obesity.

Not quite sure why it caused you to spit out your dummy, though...

[ummmm]

Shouldn't this be in B&S?

[Gromit]

It is not 100% accurate, but it is a rough guide. In most cases it gives the correct result, but in athletes and other unrepresentative body conditions, it can throw out a spurious result.

[Sqad]

In direct answer to your question........no, BMI is NOT an effective way of measuring obesity.

[ubasses]

It's a reasonable guide for Joe Public. Does not work with highly muscular sportsperson.

[Mamyalynne]

No, I don't believe it is a good indicator.

[NoMercy]

So why is it used, Sqad.

I know people with a BMI over 40 are not automatically entitled to surgery and the health care provider would have to apply to the PCT to carry out the surgery.

[ummmm]

If we used my OH's BMI he'd be considered overweight and there's no fat on him at all.

[Sqad]

NoM

\\\\So why is it used, Sqad. \\\

Because there is not alternative........the question of the OP being "Is the BMI an EFFECTIVE way".....and the answer is no, but it is the best that we can do.

[ummmm]

Looking at someone, seeing they are fat and then weighing them would be just as effective.

[hc4361]

Caliper measurements can be good if used properly

[jackthehat]

What if you don't wear calipers, hc? ;o)

[Gromit]

Seriously, no one is going to be denyed surgery on a BMI reading alone. There are other tests for obesity, not least scans which can see the build up of excessive fatty tissue, as opposed to muscle.

[Islay]

It was just on the news HC that one of the health authorities are strapped for cash and if your BMI is 30 or over they will deny you surgery for non life threatning or life changing surgery.

[hc4361]

I know, Islay. It is a fact that the fatter a person is the more dangerous any kind of surgery is.

They already do a similar things for alcoholics - if a person with liver disease can't prove they can stop drinking or flatly refuse to try, he may not be first in line for a transplant.

[Islay]

Sorry Hc my answer was in response to Gromit!! Doh

[Gromit]

Islay,
I know. But BMI will only be an initial guide. A muscular athlete with a BMI over 30 will not be denied treatment.

[woofgang]

I don’t think they will get away with that as they are openly saying its to save money. Yes treatments can be (and are) refused to people or delayed on the basis of clinical risk, but to do it on the basis of BMI and just to save money, I think can, and should be challenged....and the NHS England agree
taken from the Guardian article

A spokesman for NHS England said: “Major surgery poses much higher risks for severely overweight patients who smoke. So local GP-led clinical commissioning groups are entirely right to ensure these patients first get support to lose weight and try and stop smoking before their hip or knee operation. Reducing obesity and cutting smoking not only benefits patients but saves the NHS and taxpayers millions of pounds.

“This does not and cannot mean blanket bans on particular patients such as smokers getting operations, which would be inconsistent with the NHS constitution.

“Vale of York CCG is currently under special measures legal direction, and NHS England is today asking it to review its proposed approach before it takes effect to ensure it is proportionate, clinically reasonable, and consistent with applicable national clinical guidelines.”

In other words “You ain’t doing it chum"

[Gromit]

Wolfgang,
If the Health Trust have run out of money, it is reasonable to prioritise life saving operations over other procedures that are not life threatening.

[Cloverjo]

I'm surprised that my OH was operated on his leg a couple of years ago, without anyone telling him to lose weight. It was a nightmare as we live upstairs and it was a massive manoeuvre to get him down.