A new study conducted by the University of Helsinki has found that young people are needlessly anxious about their body weight. It seems that most adults in their early 20s are focused on achieving a personal “ideal weight,” which causes unnecessary stress. It seems that most young women and half of young men want to be lighter. What’s interesting is that 10 years later, only one in seven men and one out of five women is at or beneath their predetermined “ideal” weight.
Why the BMI Is All Wrong
Most people determine their ideal weight based on the BMI (body mass index). Unfortunately, this type of measurement is highly inaccurate. First of all, it doesn’t reflect the muscle-to-fat ratio. For example, a fitness model or a bodybuilder can be considered obese based on his BMI despite having less than 10 percent body fat. That’s because muscle is denser than fat and takes up less space.
Secondly, individuals with completely different body shapes can have the same readings. Since the BMI only considers weight and height, it overlooks bone density and muscle mass. This standard metric does not take body mass distribution or composition into account. Yet, millions of people are struggling to lose or gain weight based solely on their body mass index.
What’s Your Ideal Weight?
The best way to determine your perfect weight is to measure your body fat levels. To do that, you can use skin calipers, bioelectrical impedance scales, hydrostatic weighing, air-displacement plethysmography, or DEXA scans. These measurement tools are usually available in beauty centers, gyms, and wellness clubs.
Skin calipers can be found online and cost only a few dollars. Even if it’s not the most accurate measurement tool, it’s accessible and convenient. A proper skin fold assessment takes only a few minutes to complete. The most accurate method is hydrostatic weighing, which involves measuring your weight underwater.
