What Is BMI, and Does It Really Reflect Health Accurately? - #14883
I recently went for a health check-up, and the doctor measured my weight and height, then told me my BMI is slightly above normal. I asked, what is BMI, and they said it’s a calculation that determines whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. But here’s the thing—I exercise regularly, eat healthy, and don’t feel unhealthy at all. I’m not sure if BMI is a reliable indicator of fitness. I’ve read that BMI doesn’t take into account muscle mass, body fat percentage, or even where fat is stored. Some athletes have high BMI but low body fat, and some people with “normal” BMI still have metabolic issues. So is it really the best way to measure health? In Ayurveda, I’ve heard that body constitution (Prakriti) is more important than just numbers like BMI. Does Ayurveda have a different way of assessing whether a person is at a healthy weight? Are there better indicators of overall health than just BMI? Has anyone here been told they have a high BMI but still felt completely healthy? Did you follow Ayurvedic methods to balance your weight instead of focusing on BMI alone?
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