Episode
The Body Mass Index
1:08:58
Published: Tue Aug 03 2021
Description
The BMI is EVERYWHERE. But is it scientific or scientif-ish? While many Americans think of the body mass index as an objective measure of health, its history reveals a more complicated story. This week, Mike and Aubrey tackle the first in a two-part series about the BMI and the “Obesity Epidemic.” Along the way they visit 18th century Belgium, learn a gross new acronym and dissect Dracula's facial features. LINKS!:The Bizarre and Racist History of the BMI (Elemental) Adolphe Quetelet, Social Physics, and the Average Men of Science, 1796-1874 (University of Pittsburgh Press)Mindful of eugenics’ dark history, researchers are reexamining the genetics of social mobility (Quartz) Adolphe Quetelet (1796–1874)—the average man and indices of obesity (Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation)For Researchers on Obesity: Historical Review of Extra Body Weight Definitions (Obesity)Quetelet, Adolphe (Canada’s Eugenics Archives)Top 10 Reasons Why The BMI Is Bogus (NPR)The False Science Linking Body Shape to Personality (The Atlantic)Obesity task force linked to WHO takes “millions” from drug firms (The BMJ)Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity (Obesity Reviews) Support the show
Chapters
The hosts of Maintenance Phase discuss the usefulness of BMI with comedian Emily Heller, and express their opinion on the matter.
00:00 - 02:25 (02:25)
Summary
The hosts of Maintenance Phase discuss the usefulness of BMI with comedian Emily Heller, and express their opinion on the matter.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Understanding the history behind the creation of the BMI and IQ tests reveals a flawed perspective towards race and genetics by those who didn't think they were being discriminatory.
02:25 - 09:03 (06:38)
Summary
Understanding the history behind the creation of the BMI and IQ tests reveals a flawed perspective towards race and genetics by those who didn't think they were being discriminatory. These scientific measures highlight the human desire to rank and prove genetic superiority, even if those biases were not obvious to the creators at the time.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The practice of eugenics and disgenics involved the selective breeding and sterilization of certain groups of people, with the aim of improving the human population.
09:03 - 14:16 (05:12)
Summary
The practice of eugenics and disgenics involved the selective breeding and sterilization of certain groups of people, with the aim of improving the human population. This harmful practice impacted marginalized communities and reinforced racial and social hierarchies.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The Body Mass Index (BMI) was initially created to quantify averages regarding normal people, but it quickly became popularized in doctor's offices, and then used for corporate profit.
14:16 - 21:33 (07:17)
Summary
The Body Mass Index (BMI) was initially created to quantify averages regarding normal people, but it quickly became popularized in doctor's offices, and then used for corporate profit. This podcast delves into the dark history of how the BMI was once intertwined with criminology theory and eugenics.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The episode discusses the issues with using BMI as a measure of health and why it's not always an accurate representation of an individual's health status.
21:33 - 28:35 (07:02)
Summary
The episode discusses the issues with using BMI as a measure of health and why it's not always an accurate representation of an individual's health status.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The connection between childhood obesity and health risks needs reliable evidence as lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease takes decades to develop, making data noisy.
28:35 - 35:40 (07:05)
Summary
The connection between childhood obesity and health risks needs reliable evidence as lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease takes decades to develop, making data noisy.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
This podcast delves into the history of how weight loss became a major medical priority, and how drug companies played a significant role in establishing this narrative.
35:40 - 40:53 (05:13)
Summary
This podcast delves into the history of how weight loss became a major medical priority, and how drug companies played a significant role in establishing this narrative.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The speaker discusses their experience working in international development on corporate human rights violations and how corporations influence the types of human rights issues that get talked about, including the obesity epidemic.
40:53 - 48:33 (07:39)
Summary
The speaker discusses their experience working in international development on corporate human rights violations and how corporations influence the types of human rights issues that get talked about, including the obesity epidemic.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The excessive focus on obesity can lead to missing other public health issues, as it distracts attention from them.
48:33 - 53:07 (04:33)
Summary
The excessive focus on obesity can lead to missing other public health issues, as it distracts attention from them. Instead of narrowing in only on the problems of larger-sized individuals, we should aim to consider broader public health concerns.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
Fat people, particularly women, postpone healthcare due to direct judgment from healthcare providers and knowing that they will receive substandard care as a result.
53:07 - 59:50 (06:43)
Summary
Fat people, particularly women, postpone healthcare due to direct judgment from healthcare providers and knowing that they will receive substandard care as a result. Studies also show that a majority of nurses and nursing students think that overweight patients should be given low-calorie diets without their permission.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The obesity paradox theory argues that some fat people seem healthy, but the jury is still out on the hard and fast medical knowledge around it.
59:50 - 1:04:29 (04:38)
Summary
The obesity paradox theory argues that some fat people seem healthy, but the jury is still out on the hard and fast medical knowledge around it. While there are moral arguments against the theory, numbers show that around one-third of obese people have normal health markers.
EpisodeThe Body Mass Index
PodcastMaintenance Phase
The Body Mass Index (BMI) has numerous failings as a health measure, as it is a quantitative measure that fails to account for the diversity in body types and shapes.
1:04:29 - 1:08:39 (04:10)
Summary
The Body Mass Index (BMI) has numerous failings as a health measure, as it is a quantitative measure that fails to account for the diversity in body types and shapes. Moreover, its limitations suggest that more qualitative measures may be needed to determine the health status of individuals.