At Em's last checkup, they calculated her BMI. I'm switching pediatricians.
Okay, that's fucking INSANE. I will (grudgingly) say that the BMI is "valid" in adults, where "validity" means that adults have stopped growing and therefore at least their height is static.
There is absolutely, utterly, 100% NO way that the BMI can be valid in kids, who are still growing ("growth spurt," anyone) and still developing muscle mass, etc.
Not to mention that slapping a BMI on a young girl is a perfect way to launch her merrily down the road to a lifetime of eating disorders. You know the "best" way to beat the BMI? Don't build muscle mass, because it weighs more than fat. You know what a lack of muscle mass will do to you down the road? Oh, osteoporosis, osteopenia, balance disorders, etc., etc.
It's GREAT to lay the foundation for a lifetime of poor health by labelling a 5-year-old (or is she 4?) with a BMI.
Wow, I would be a SUCK parent, because I'd be killing motherfuckers left and right who messed with my kid, and I don't think that effective parenting can take place when the parent is in a jail cell.
Furthermore, it tells me that it uses antiquated and unrealistic weight standards that were established 50+ years ago and should be adjusted for inflation, if you will.
The BMI cutoffs were adjusted- downward. So immediately, millions of people who *were* normal were overweight without gaining a pound, and those who *were* overweight became obese. Then everyone looked at that jump and went "WTFBBQ OBESITY CRISIS!!!!!"
or is she 4?
She's 3!! She won't be 4 until end of November!!
The BMI cutoffs were adjusted- downward. So immediately, millions of people who *were* normal were overweight without gaining a pound, and those who *were* overweight became obese. Then everyone looked at that jump and went "WTFBBQ OBESITY CRISIS!!!!!"
It's like that episode of West Wing where they changed a formula and sudden;y there were 4 million more poor people.
that's awesome, Aims. I know that I had heard the BMI is bullshit before but when my doc said she was concerned about my weight I wanted some indication of how normal I am and the BMI was the first thing I thought of. I know that a lot of my parts are much thicker than than used to be, I'm not as strong and I get winded faster, but I guess I was looking for something outside myself to confirm or deny that I need to change.
She's 3!! She won't be 4 until end of November!!
Okay, seriously. What kind of fuckwitted, ass for brains thinks he can slap a BMI on a THREE YEAR OLD and still call himself a doctor with a straight face?
Hey Pete. How's it goin'?
Doin' okay. A little frazzled but okay. Digging through several years of clutter can be both deflating due to feelings of "where does all this crap come from" and uplifting due to "cool, I forgot I had this". The two are separated by a fine line.
Okay, seriously. What kind of fuckwitted, ass for brains thinks he can slap a BMI on a THREE YEAR OLD and still call himself a doctor with a straight face?
I haven't the slightest. The thing that really sucks, is that I really, really liked him. He was so great up til that point. Really engaged with Em, made her feel comfortable and had her participating in the checkup so she wasn't very afraid. And then he started talking BMI. And the good stuff went bye-bye.
