BMI (Body Mass Index): In today's time when our lives have to a large extent become fodder for other people's consumption and judgement, body image issues and eating disorders have unfortunately become a huge part of our reality.&nbsp;

As per the study by the Lancet medical journal done in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and released ahead of World Obesity Day (Mar&nbsp;4), more than one billion people across the world suffer from obesity. This conclusion was based on data measured on the BMI index.

<h2>What is obesity?&nbsp;</h2>

Many of us falsely believe anything that doesn't fit the societal norm is obese. We have got so used to comparing our bodies with others that searches like 'what is the ideal weight for someone of XYZ height' are common.&nbsp;

<img alt="Google search " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dde3fc7f-8ce2-4bf5-9aba-14f97f541e4b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%286%29.jpg" />

The internet's answer to such a question? The BMI index, which lumps you into brackets like underweight, healthy, overweight, and obese. But, how valid is the BMI index? Is it an apt scale for measuring obesity?&nbsp;

To answer these questions&nbsp;and more, WION connected with a senior dietitian with more than a decade's experience.

<h2>What is the BMI index?</h2>

The Body Mass Index (BMI) has long been used as a standard measure to categorise an individual's weight status.&nbsp;

It traces its origins back to between 1830 and 1850, when Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian astronomer, mathematician, statistician, and sociologist, devised its basis. Then called the Quetelet Index, it was a means of discovering the socially ideal human person. Now, it is used to devise the ideal weight.

However, its validity and effectiveness have been a subject of debate among health professionals and researchers.

While BMI provides a simple and quick way to assess weight-related health risks, it comes with many limitations.

One major criticism of BMI is its reliance solely on weight and height, without considering other important factors, such as muscle mass, bone density, and distribution of fat.&nbsp;

This means that individuals with a high muscle mass, such as athletes, may be classified as overweight or obese, despite being in excellent health. Similarly, older adults and those with different ethnic backgrounds may not be accurately assessed by BMI due to variations in body composition.

As per Veena V, Chief Clinical Dietitian at Aster Whitefield Hospital, even those with the appropriate BMI measurement can have health problems like fatty liver.&nbsp;

She notes that BMI can also vary between different ethnicities. Comparing the diet in India and abroad, she said that in India, several people consume food that can lead to added fat around the waist. This is often considered unhealthy, but that isn't always the case.

<h2>The psychological effects</h2>

BMI fails to account for the psychological effects it can have on individuals. Being told that you are overweight or obese based on a numerical value can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem. This can be particularly harmful to vulnerable populations, such as teenagers, who are already facing immense pressure to conform to societal beauty standards.

"Sometimes, if people focus too much on their BMI, they might start doing unhealthy things like extreme dieting or exercising too much. This can hurt their bodies and their&nbsp;minds,"&nbsp;said&nbsp;Psychotherapist Ekta Khurana.

"We should recognise that health is multifaceted, and weight alone doesn’t define well-being," she adds.

Despite its limitations, BMI can still be a useful screening tool, but only when used in conjunction with other assessments, such as waist circumference and body fat percentage. However, its validity and effectiveness as a standalone measure are questionable. Health professionals and individuals alike should be aware of its limitations and use it as part of a comprehensive assessment of health status and not as a final verdict on how healthy or unhealthy one is.&nbsp;

BMI (Body Mass Index): In today's time when our lives have to a large extent become fodder for other people's consumption and judgement, body image issues and eating disorders have unfortunately become a huge part of our reality.

BMI (Body Mass Index): In today's time when our lives have to a large extent become fodder for other people's consumption and judgement, body image issues and eating disorders have unfortunately become a huge part of our reality. As per the study by the Lancet medical journal done in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and released ahead of World Obesity Day (Mar 4), more than one billion people across the world suffer from obesity. This conclusion was based on data measured on the BMI index. What is obesity? Many of us falsely believe anything that doesn't fit the societal norm is obese. We have got so used to comparing our bodies with others that searches like 'what is the ideal weight for someone of XYZ height' are common. The internet's answer to such a question? The BMI index, which lumps you into brackets like underweight, healthy, overweight, and obese. But, how valid is the BMI index? Is it an apt scale for measuring obesity? To answer these questions and more, WION connected with a senior dietitian with more than a decade's experience. What is the BMI index? The Body Mass Index (BMI) has long been used as a standard measure to categorise an individual's weight status. It traces its origins back to between 1830 and 1850, when Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian astronomer, mathematician, statistician, and sociologist, devised its basis. Then called the Quetelet Index, it was a means of discovering the socially ideal human person. Now, it is used to devise the ideal weight. However, its validity and effectiveness have been a subject of debate among health professionals and researchers. While BMI provides a simple and quick way to assess weight-related health risks, it comes with many limitations. One major criticism of BMI is its reliance solely on weight and height, without considering other important factors, such as muscle mass, bone density, and distribution of fat. This means that individuals with a high muscle mass, such as athletes, may be classified as overweight or obese, despite being in excellent health. Similarly, older adults and those with different ethnic backgrounds may not be accurately assessed by BMI due to variations in body composition. As per Veena V, Chief Clinical Dietitian at Aster Whitefield Hospital, even those with the appropriate BMI measurement can have health problems like fatty liver. She notes that BMI can also vary between different ethnicities. Comparing the diet in India and abroad, she said that in India, several people consume food that can lead to added fat around the waist. This is often considered unhealthy, but that isn't always the case. The psychological effects BMI fails to account for the psychological effects it can have on individuals. Being told that you are overweight or obese based on a numerical value can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem. This can be particularly harmful to vulnerable populations, such as teenagers, who are already facing immense pressure to conform to societal beauty standards. "Sometimes, if people focus too much on their BMI, they might start doing unhealthy things like extreme dieting or exercising too much. This can hurt their bodies and their minds," said Psychotherapist Ekta Khurana. "We should recognise that health is multifaceted, and weight alone doesn’t define well-being," she adds. Despite its limitations, BMI can still be a useful screening tool, but only when used in conjunction with other assessments, such as waist circumference and body fat percentage. However, its validity and effectiveness as a standalone measure are questionable. Health professionals and individuals alike should be aware of its limitations and use it as part of a comprehensive assessment of health status and not as a final verdict on how healthy or unhealthy one is.

Body image battles: Break free of BMI stereotypes. Your weight isn't the whole story

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday (Ma 20) offered an unequivocal apology to thousands of citizens who were at one time infected by contaminated blood in a decades-long scandal which was covered up.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday (Ma 20) offered an unequivocal apology to thousands of citizens who were at one time infected by contaminated blood in a decades-long scandal which was covered up. More than 30,000 people in the United Kingdom were infected with viruses like hepatitis and HIV after they were transfused the tainted blood between the 1970s and early 1990s, as per the Infected Blood Inquiry. The people who became victims of the blood scandal were those who needed blood transfusions in surgeries or after accidents, as well as those who suffered from blood disorders like haemophilia and were being treated with donated blood plasma products. Also Read: UK infected blood scandal: Bombshell report points out ‘catastrophic’ failures, and cover-up Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in what was said to be the biggest treatment disaster in the state-run National Health Service's (NHS) history. Here's what Rishi Sunak said Speaking to the House of Commons, Sunak said, "I am truly sorry." He called the findings of the report "a day of shame for the British state". "Time and again people in positions of power and trust had the chance to stop the transmission of those infections and failed to do so," Sunak added, as he promised "whatever it costs" will be compensated to the victims. “This is a day of shame for the British state. Today’s report shows a decades-long moral failure at the heart of our national life – from the National Health Service to the civil service to ministers in successive governments at every level – that people and institutions in which we place our trust failed in the most harrowing and devastating way," Sunak said. “This is an apology from the state – to every single person impacted by this scandal. It did not have to be this way; it should never have been this way. And on behalf of this and every government stretching back to the 1970s, I am truly sorry," he added. The ministers are yet to announce how much compensation payment will be made to the victims and their families. What did the report reveal? The 2,500-page report laid bare a "catalogue of failures" with "catastrophic" consequences for those who became victims of the scandal. Watch: UK infected blood scandal: NHS, Government covered up infected blood scandal, says Report It was reported that in a few cases, children with bleeding disorders were treated as "objects for research". "I have to report that it could largely, though not entirely, have been avoided," said its author and judge Brian Langstaff. As per the report, blood donors were not properly screened and the officials imported the blood products from abroad, which included the United States where they used drug users and prisoners for donations. The report stated that too many transfusions which were not necessarily needed also took place. Attempts were also made to conceal the scandal which also included evidence that the health department's officials destroyed documents in 1993. (With inputs from agencies)

Rishi Sunak apologises over infected blood scandal, calls it a 'day of shame'

Kangana Ranaut will next be seen opposite&nbsp;Rajkummar Rao in Mental Hai Kya&nbsp;-- for the second time after they were first paired together in hit&nbsp;film Queen.&nbsp;

To go on floors next month, the film has already generated quite a buzz with the release of its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-mental-hai-kya-first-look-kangana-ranaut-and-rajkummar-rao-reunite-on-the-big-screen-34714" target="_blank">whacky posters</a> featuring both the actors in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-mental-hai-kya-new-posters-kangana-ranaut-rajkummar-rao-look-wild-insane-34867" target="_blank">never-seen-before roles</a>.&nbsp;

Speaking about the film in an interview with a daily, Kangana said:&nbsp;&ldquo;The way my life unfolded in the past few years, I realised there was so much stigma attached to being different. &lsquo;Mental&rsquo; or &lsquo;psycho&rsquo; were the terms used to shame me, but these can&rsquo;t be used casually as swear words. When this script came along, I knew I had to do it to break the stigma around it. High time we made individuality aspirational.&rdquo;

She also spoke about dealing with the issue in the most sensitive manner and said,&nbsp;&ldquo;We won&rsquo;t show people as pitiable, sympathy seeking characters. We&rsquo;ll portray the issue with sensitivity. The film takes a stand against equating individuality with madness.&rdquo;

A psychological thriller, Mental Hai Kya will be directed by&nbsp;Prakash Kovelamudi.

Meanwhile, Kangana is busy shooting for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-kangana-ranaut-looks-gorgeous-as-rani-laxmibai-in-new-manikarnika-photo-33733" target="_blank">Manikarnika- Queen of Jhansi </a>in which she portrays the role of Rani Laxmibai.&nbsp;

She is currently working on a film titled 'Mental Hai Kya' with Rajkummar Rao -- posters of which were released recently

Kangana Ranaut will next be seen opposite Rajkummar Rao in Mental Hai Kya -- for the second time after they were first paired together in hit film Queen. To go on floors next month, the film has already generated quite a buzz with the release of its whacky posters featuring both the actors in never-seen-before roles. Speaking about the film in an interview with a daily, Kangana said: “The way my life unfolded in the past few years, I realised there was so much stigma attached to being different. ‘Mental’ or ‘psycho’ were the terms used to shame me, but these can’t be used casually as swear words. When this script came along, I knew I had to do it to break the stigma around it. High time we made individuality aspirational.” She also spoke about dealing with the issue in the most sensitive manner and said, “We won’t show people as pitiable, sympathy seeking characters. We’ll portray the issue with sensitivity. The film takes a stand against equating individuality with madness.” A psychological thriller, Mental Hai Kya will be directed by Prakash Kovelamudi. Meanwhile, Kangana is busy shooting for Manikarnika- Queen of Jhansi in which she portrays the role of Rani Laxmibai.

Kangana Ranaut: 'Mental' or 'psycho' were the terms used to shame me

Spain&#39;s seaside city of Barcelona on Thursday unveiled a large digital counter that will track the number of refugees who die in the Mediterranean, next to one of its popular beaches. 
 
&quot;We are inaugurating this shame counter, which will update all known victims who drowned in the Mediterranean in real time,&quot; said Mayor Ada Colau.&nbsp;The monument consists of a large metal rectangular pillar that comes decked out with a digital counter above the inscription &quot;This isn&#39;t just a number, these are people&quot;. 
 
The counter kicked off with &quot;3,034&quot;, the number of migrants and refugees who have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in 2016, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 
 
&quot;We&#39;re here to look the Mediterranean in the face and look at this number, 3,034 people who drowned because they were not offered a safe passage,&quot; said Colau, as swimmers took advantage of the last rays of sunshine nearby. 
 
The fatality rate this year is higher than in the same period in 2015, the IOM said this week.&nbsp;One reason for the higher death toll this year is that there have been a series of shipwrecks involving larger vessels carrying several hundred people rather than the more typical dinghies that carry a maximum of 100 migrants. 
 
Syrians fleeing the country&#39;s brutal war again made up the largest group to have risked their lives to make the dangerous sea crossing so far this year.&nbsp;Afghans were next on the list, followed by Iraqis. 
 
(AFP)

The counter kicked off with 3,034, which is the total number of migrants and refugees who have died in 2016 while crossing the Mediterranean

Spain's seaside city of Barcelona on Thursday unveiled a large digital counter that will track the number of refugees who die in the Mediterranean, next to one of its popular beaches. "We are inaugurating this shame counter, which will update all known victims who drowned in the Mediterranean in real time," said Mayor Ada Colau. The monument consists of a large metal rectangular pillar that comes decked out with a digital counter above the inscription "This isn't just a number, these are people". The counter kicked off with "3,034", the number of migrants and refugees who have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe in 2016, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). "We're here to look the Mediterranean in the face and look at this number, 3,034 people who drowned because they were not offered a safe passage," said Colau, as swimmers took advantage of the last rays of sunshine nearby. The fatality rate this year is higher than in the same period in 2015, the IOM said this week. One reason for the higher death toll this year is that there have been a series of shipwrecks involving larger vessels carrying several hundred people rather than the more typical dinghies that carry a maximum of 100 migrants. Syrians fleeing the country's brutal war again made up the largest group to have risked their lives to make the dangerous sea crossing so far this year. Afghans were next on the list, followed by Iraqis. (AFP)

Barcelona unveils 'shame counter' that tracks refugee deaths

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