Answer

Studies do show people with a high BMI have a higher risk of disease. And people who improve their BMI by losing weight also improve their health.

Think of it is as a starting point to help you figure out what range you fall into. It should not be used by itself to judge how healthy you are.

For example, BMI does not factor in blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar or lifestyle factors like smoking or your family medical history. All of these are very important clues to how healthy you are.

BMI also does not tell you if you are eating enough fresh, plant-based foods, or if you are doing enough exercise. It is possible to have a BMI in the healthy range but still be physically unfit and short of the essential nutrients provided by fruits and vegetables.