Overreliance on BMI and Delayed Care for Patients With Higher BMI and Disordered Eating

Abstract

Diagnostic utility of weight and body mass index (BMI) is widely overestimated. Although both are clinically relevant, their use as universal measures of health and wellness can result in missed or incomplete diagnoses, which are neglected sources of iatrogenic harm. This article problematizes overreliance on weight and BMI in assessing disordered eating behaviors and suggests how physicians can prevent harmful delays in indicated interventions. This article also canvasses misconceptions about the prevalence and severity of eating disorders in people with higher BMIs and encourages holistic approaches to caring for patients with obesity.