GetEbookFitness

Chapter 2 of 30 · 15 min read

The BMI & Body Composition Paradigm

By Omar AbdohUpdated

What this chapter covers

For decades, the medical community, insurance companies, and the general public have relied on a single, simplistic metric to determine health and fitness: the Body Mass Index, or BMI.

While BMI has its uses in large-scale epidemiological studies, it is a deeply flawed metric for individuals, particularly those who engage in resistance training. In this chapter, we will look at what BMI and body-composition measurements can and cannot tell you.

In this chapter

  • The Origins and Flaws of BMI
  • Why BMI Fails the Individual
  • Choosing A Measurement Method
  • Shifting to Body Composition
  • What are Healthy Body Fat Ranges?
  • Methods of Measuring Body Fat
  • Estimate Your Body Fat
  • The Rate of Loss: Setting Realistic Expectations
  • Sources and reading notes

This book is educational and is not medical advice. It cannot account for your medical history, medication or injuries. Speak to a qualified clinician before changing how you eat or train, particularly if you are pregnant, managing a health condition, or returning from injury.

This chapter is part of the complete edition. Read chapter 1 free or see what is included.