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A comment on Over 73% of U.S. Adults Overweight or Obese. Parent comment

Re:Over 73% of U.S. Adults Overweight or Obese by mjbeswick on Sunday January 10, 2021 @04:28PM (#25720096)
BMI is pretty accurate for most people. Having said that you don't need a measurement to see if someone is fat!
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Re:Over 73% of U.S. Adults Overweight or Obese by chrisseaton on Sunday January 10, 2021 @09:36PM (#25723638)
> BMI is pretty accurate

What is 'accurate' in this context? Accurate against what? What are you comparing it against to get a measure of accuracy?

It indicates against 'normal weight' - but if the population's weight changes then the 'normal weight' changes with it doesn't it?

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Re:Over 73% of U.S. Adults Overweight or Obese by mjbeswick on Monday January 11, 2021 @02:42AM (#25725910)
Admittedly accurate is the wrong term, but it is a reasonable inductor of health, as the heavier someone is for a given weight, the shorter their expected lifespan will be.

The normal weight may change, but the ideal healthy weight doesn't. The idea of a healthy weight is misleading, as there is more of a healthy body fat percentage. Even that's is an oversimplification, as visceral fat has far more health implications that subcutaneous fat.

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