Obesity Rates and the BMI

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106268439

Above is a link to a story on NPR about the Body Mass Index we use in this country to determine the population's obesity rate. I have long questioned the statistics we use so often and the map of the states with the fat rates going up up up. The math expert in this report uses weight and height info off of star athlete's web sites and finds them obese using the BMI formula. So, let's think about this.... We would be overjoyed if everyone in this country started to work out like a NBA star, right? Very active, very good! BUT if everyone did and we use the BMI formula, the overweight/obese rates would sky rocket! Because fit people show up as fat using this measurement tool. So.... here is another idea.. Perhaps we are actually reading the numbers wrong? All these "obese" people are actually fit people? OK, not likely. Well, something to think about!