History of BMI

The Origin of BMI

The Body Mass Index is a old formula. Invented by the belgian mathematican Adolphe Quetelet in the 19. century. This means, it has the same older as the fomula by Paul Broca. The is the old method, simply substitue 100 of size in cm to get the normal weigth. Later this was reduzed by 10% to get ideal weight.

The Broca-Formula, named by Paul Broca, a frech doctor for the military, is very simple and everybody can calculate it without problems. Everybody born before 1975, can remember this formula, because it was used in his childhood.

BMI and science

But there is a problem with the Broca-Formula. When you need to compare a big group of humans, you need one value wich can compared with others. So the BMI is perfect for this. Size and weight togehter in one reference number.n.

American assurance

One urban myth is the origin of BMI at american assurance. They shall have invented the Body Mass Index to calculate health risk. Maybe they have used the BMI, but it's not invented by them.

Alternative to BMI

It would be much better to use the real fat rate. But this is much compplicated and only hightech medical equipment can make it exact. The simple solution in body fat scales with electric power is quite unaccurate. This is the reason of taking the BMI as simple value. Also in telephone interviews the poeaple can be asked for size and weight and the BMI can calculated.

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