B.M.I. Revisited
Unlike their authors, the posts were rather slim through September. But things seem to be picking up again. I, along with half the Western world, have read with eager excitement the ups and downs (and ins and outs) of our dieting cadre. I am pleased to see Hollando’s efforts at cullinary invention, Will’s forays into London gym life, and, above all, Matthew’s abandonment of the absured prohibition on bread. If bread and water were good enough for the medievals, they’re good enough for me. With a little wine and cheese, maybe.
I myself have studiously avoided watching what I eat, per usual. Whilst trying to find a new apartment, I have been staying in a place of warmth, comfort, and an endless supply of donuts on top of the refrigerator–that is, with my family. It is also a place with a scale, a modern contrivance I do not own. Just now I was seized with the uncontrollable urge to find my actual weight. Right now it (and I) sit at 178. Is this bad? Not entirely, according to the B.M.I. calculator referenced on my previous post about body mass index. I’m at 23.2 at present.
To provide some quantifiable excitement to the qualified success of this blog, I propose that we update our B.M.I. numbers for the benefit of the reading public.
OK, David, I’ll bite: For entertainment purposes only, my current BMI is a quite healthy 22.4. However, I reiterate my objection to this particular metric. For those joining our program already in progress (and who can’t be bothered to read the comments on ancient posts), I repeat the gravamen of my charge here:
“I must say, I’m a bit skeptical about BMI’s usefulness given the limited data upon which its calculations rely. Take Lorenzo Neal, one of the best fullbacks in the NFL. He’s 5′11, 245 lbs — solid as a rock. According to the BMI calculator, his read-out is 34.2. Would we really call him obese?
“Granted, the NIH page says that one of the limitations of BMI is that it, ‘may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.’ But in the case of Mr Neal, that is surely an understatement.”
Comment on October 7, 2004 @ 8:33 pm
My BMI is 25.3, which is “overweight.” According to my calculations, I must reach a weight of 173.5 lbs. in order to attain a BMI of 24.9 and thus escape the “overweight” range. Given my current weight loss pace, and presuming it holds constant, I will no longer have an overweight BMI as of Monday, October 11, 2004.
Comment on October 8, 2004 @ 12:42 pm
Perhaps I spoke too soon. I am trapped at 176 lbs. this morning. Tuesday is the new target day. Curse that blasted barbeque!
Comment on October 9, 2004 @ 11:42 am
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Comment on October 9, 2004 @ 11:42 am
David, if Saint Thomas’s results are typical of the Medieval Diet, I doubt you’ll gain too many modern adherents!
http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?Pgnu=1&Pg=Forum3&recnu=20&number=411728
Comment on October 9, 2004 @ 8:03 pm