Innovations in fat-monitoring
Can I tell you how much I detest the BMI as a metric for monitoring an individual’s levels of fat? It really equates to a statistical chart for insurance companies that does a simple calculation based on height and weight and spits out a number.
Unfortunately for consumers, that number really doesn’t tell you anything. Weight consists of a couple of factors: Lean body mass (including water) and fat (not water soluble). Knowing what percent of your body weight is fat (and its distribution) can be really useful information. Having a number solely based on weight is extremely misleading (to individuals, as BMI was made for populations) especially to track progress from a new diet and exercise plan.
In med school, I was horrified when a patient had come to tell us her story of getting a gastric bypass operation when her diet and exercise program “didn’t work” because she was losing inches, but not pounds (i.e., she was lifting weights, gaining muscle, and losing fat…the best outcome you can get from starting an exercise program).
The WSJ has an article this week on new ways for consumers to measure their body fat. All may at some point be coming to a weight-loss clinic near you…
