Body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared: Calculating the so-called body mass index, or BMI for short, has been the standard method for classifying body weight since the 1980s. The higher the BMI, the more (over)weight someone is. But the calculation method has its weaknesses. Why and why you should use the “BRI” instead – Krone+ will tell you.
It becomes apparent during the annual check-up at the GP at the latest: BMI roughly divides people into underweight (BMI 30), or morbidly obese. The latter is the rule rather than the exception in Austria: according to current figures from the Obesity Alliance and the Austrian Health Insurance Fund from February, 41 percent of men and 27 percent of women in this country are overweight and 18 and 15 percent are obese.
A third of children are already overweight or obese
However, the problem starts with the youngest children: Even among nine-year-olds, more than 31 percent of boys and 29 percent of girls are overweight or obese, which, according to ÖGK Vice President Andreas Huss, “leads to many secondary diseases. and reduced quality of life at a young age.”
Stigma and psychological consequences are often associated with secondary diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood lipid levels, heart attack, stroke or dementia.
Economic factor
This is ultimately also reflected in the economy and healthcare system: OECD forecasts for Europe show that obesity will reduce Austria’s GDP by an average of 2.5 percent per year between 2020 and 2050. Indirect costs such as sick leave and early retirement are also included here.
Determining whether and to what extent someone is overweight is therefore not only relevant and important from a medical perspective. However, the question is whether BMI is the appropriate tool for this.
Source: Krone
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