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A major error in nomograms for estimating body mass index
1Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|September 1, 1991
Summary
The Surgeon General's reports contain inaccurate body mass index (BMI) nomograms. Always verify BMI calculations using direct methods, not these flawed nomograms.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Biostatistics
Background:
- The Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health and Diet and Health provide nomograms for estimating body mass index (BMI).
- These nomograms are intended for rapid BMI estimation based on weight and height.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of BMI nomograms presented in key Surgeon General's reports.
- To caution users about potential inaccuracies in these widely referenced tools.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of BMI values obtained from the nomograms against BMI values calculated directly using the standard formula (weight in kg / height in m^2).
Main Results:
- The BMI values derived from the nomograms in the specified reports were found to be highly inaccurate.
- Significant discrepancies were observed between nomogram-estimated BMI and directly calculated BMI.
Conclusions:
- The BMI nomograms included in the Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health and Diet and Health are unreliable.
- Users should exercise extreme caution and avoid relying on these specific nomograms for accurate BMI determination.