Many people use the BMI scale to judge whether or not they are at a healthy weight, even doctors use this scale to assess health but it was never supposed to be used as a measure of health. The man who came up with the BMI scale back in the 1800s clearly stated that it should not be used as a measure of health. The BMI scale only started to be used in the medical system in the 1980s when a board of doctors said that it should. At the same time these doctors were all on the payroll of diet companies, who would obviously benefit from this scale being used. The BMI scale does not take into account the bone, muscle, fat ratio which is why many people who are at their healthy weight are considered “overweight” or “obese” .
In class we spoke about how in society our bodies must be “under control” and in this same vein fat bodies are seen as being “out of control” or that the person has “let themselves go”. Fatness has almost become a bad word, as if being fat is a sign of laziness, bad morals,or being a burden on society. The BMI scale supports this since being labeled as “overweight” or “obese” is seen as problem that needs to be fixed. Weight does have an effect on health, but not to the extreme that our society and our medical system puts on it. Correlation does not mean causation when it comes to weight and health problems.
Unruly Bodies 
I just wanted to say I find the BMI scale frustrating as well. By the guidelines of the scale, I’m considered overweight. I’m 5’5 and about 150 pounds but I don’t feel overweight or unhealthy. But then again how is overweight supposed to feel? I’m used to this weight and I feel comfortable with it. It’s funny because my mother looks at me and thinks I’m skinny and always jokes how the smallest people can always eat the most and not gain weight. Apparently, I’m overweight so I guess that doesn’t really make sense anymore. My second point is, if we don’t think the BMI scale is a true representation of overweight or bad health, than at what point do we make that accusation? What guidelines are we using now to determine healthy living? Personally, I don’t think the scale should be taking literal all the time but I do think it is a good target range for people to work towards.
I agree. Yet another number to compare oneself to which I do not think is healthy. Its grim to hear that the doctors where on the payroll of diet companies but not at all surprising. It’s challenging to weave through the maze of constructed standards and be empowered in our bodies as they are.
After reading your post I researched BMI for myself. It’s perplexing that the scale is used as an unquestionable standard to measure our body weight and it hasn’t been updated. It wouldn’t be criticized if the scale wasn’t a main guideline used by the medical community to base our health on.