|
Measuring a person's body fat
percentage can be difficult, therefore, other
methods are relied on to diagnose obesity. Two
widely used methods are weight-for-height tables and
body mass index (BMI). While both measurements have
their limitations, they are reasonable indicators
that someone may have a weight problem. The
calculations are easy, and no special equipment is
required.
Most people are familiar with
weight-for-height tables. Doctors and nurses
(and many others)
have used these tables for decades to determine if
someone is overweight. The tables usually have a
range of acceptable weights for a person of a
given height.
One small problem with using weight-for-height
tables is that doctors disagree over which is the
best table to use. Several versions are available.
Many have different weight ranges, and some tables
account for a person's frame size, age and sex,
while other tables do not.
A grave limitation of all
weight-for-height tables is that they do not
distinguish between excess fat and muscle. A very
muscular person may appear obese, according to the
tables, when he or she in fact is not. |
