“The dark side of tracking a particular behavior is that we become driven by the number rather than the purpose behind it.” – James Clear
In U.S. culture, good health and being “in shape” have become synonymous with the number that shows up on the scale. But it wasn’t always this way. Read on to learn more about the history of our weight obsession in the U.S., how current health metrics are hurting us in the long run, and why the weight inclusive approach to good health is a better strategy.
The Old Paradigm: Weight, Scales, and BMI
The emphasis on weight and weight loss is known as a “weight normative” approach to health. You probably notice it in the countless weight loss programs that make their way through pop culture, or the latest fad diets that take hold in your social circles.
But did you notice on your last doctor’s visit just how many of your primary care physician’s questions revolved around weight? In fact, patients are typically first evaluated based on weight regardless of the reason for their visit. Decisions to run blood tests are made off of “high risk” designations that are set purely based on weight. In fact, diagnoses can be missed in patients of “average” weight because these patients appear “healthy.”
What Is BMI?
Body mass index (BMI) is another metric that perpetuates this obsession with weight. BMI is calculated by dividing your weight by the square of your height. If you score below 18.5, you are considered “underweight;” 18.5 to 24.9 is “normal,” 25-29.9 is “overweight,” and 30+ is “obese.”
This metric is used by the federal government to track obesity rates in the U.S. Based on BMI data from 2017 and 2018, 42.4% of Americans age 20 and older are “obese.”
The Problems With BMI
BMI has proven to be quite a problematic metric for what constitutes “good” health. For starters, it was never intended to be used as a way of gauging health: The formula was developed in the mid-1800s by a Belgian mathematician studying human physical characteristics as they relate to crime and mortality. More specifically: He was trying to calculate the “ideal” White European man. Because BMI was developed based on a White ideal, it completely ignores the fact that what constitutes a “healthy” BMI will vary for different ethnic groups.
If we look at the implementation of BMI, more eyebrows are raised. In 1998, the National Institutes of Health decided to reduce the cut off for “normal” weight from 27.8 to 25. Overnight, 40 million Americans were suddenly considered either overweight or obese. As we’ve seen, these designations have very real health outcomes as doctors run tests and prescribe medications based on these figures.
Yet another major problem with BMI is that it can’t distinguish between muscle and fat. So it doesn’t always accurately predict when weight can negatively impact health.
The Broader Issue: Weight Bias
As we examine metrics like BMI, let’s think about the power of labels. Americans still see obesity as a problem of willpower and self-control, resulting in a culture of shame surrounding weight. Because shame is a terrible motivator for behavioral change, it’s no surprise that such weight stigma has proven to be ineffective at sustaining weight loss and, in fact, has been associated with adverse outcomes like eating disorders and weight cycling.
Let’s remember that a measurement is only useful when it lends context to a larger picture, not when it consumes you. The fact of the matter is, there’s an entire weight loss industry in the U.S. obsessed with the number on the scale. This focus on weight completely undervalues non-scale victories such as:
- better digestion;
- how your body feels after a meal;
- honoring your hunger and your fullness;
- sleeping better; and
- having more (and better) energy.
These small changes are equally important for good health, but you rarely hear anyone talking about them.
A Better “Weigh:” The Weight Inclusive Approach
If this is all starting to feel a bit demoralizing, there’s hope! More and more studies are finding that implementing a weight inclusive approach to health and well-being is more effective in achieving health and wellness goals. This is because having a weight inclusive approach removes shame from the equation and acknowledges that health is not something that can be reduced to a number on the scale.
What Is Weight Inclusivity?
Having a weight inclusive approach recognizes that weight is neither a behavior nor a reflection of moral character. Instead, this approach focuses on actual self-care behaviors like eating nutritious food when you’re hungry, stopping eating when full, and finding enjoyable (and thus more sustainable) exercise.
At its core, the weight inclusive approach customizes health care based on the individual, rather than the one-size-fits-all mentality of weight-focused paradigms. With this approach, everyone can achieve good health and wellbeing with proper access to non-stigmatizing health care.
Experience a Weight Inclusive Approach With Intuitive Nutrition
As we look in the mirror each day, this is a great moment to define (or redefine) what “success” looks like. At Intuitive Nutrition, we believe in honoring your health by paying attention to the messages of your body and meeting your physical and emotional needs with compassionate acceptance.
So, if you’re feeling unmotivated by the number on the scale, here’s a suggestion: ditch the scale! You’ll be doing yourself a great service as you prioritize goals and metrics other than pounds. Adopting a weight inclusive approach dispels the illusion that weight is our target and reminds us of the real reason we prioritize our health and fitness: feeling good in the body we have.
Are you ready for a weight inclusive approach to health tailored specifically to you? Book a consultation.
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