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Resource Type
Duration
00:01:23Description
This animation explores how BMI changes for a given height with varying weights and explains why using BMI as an indicator of healthy body weight can be misleading in some cases.
Body mass index, or BMI, is a simple measurement of body fat based on height and weight. It can be used as an indicator of health or obesity. The animation tracks the BMIs for a range of weights at a given height (5' 10"), indicating the points at which a person could be classified as "overweight" or "obese." The animation also highlights one of the issues with using BMI: based on BMI alone, a very muscular person may be classified as obese.
This animation is a clip from a 2004 Holiday Lecture Series, The Science of Fat. Depending on students’ background, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to discuss different features.
Key Terms
fat, health care, height, nutrition, obesity, weight
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