The American Medical Association (AMA) has ignited controversy by declaring the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale racist. This has led to medical professionals being advised against solely relying on BMI to assess a patient's weight status due to concerns about discrimination. The medical community has criticized the scale as flawed and problematic, citing its historical use for racist exclusion.
Fox News contributor David Webb expressed his skepticism on "The Big Weekend Show," stating that the AMA's move seems politically motivated rather than scientifically grounded. He pointed out that BMI has never been a completely accurate measure on its own, using his own physique as an example. Webb emphasized that factors like muscle mass significantly influence weight, and BMI calculations must be considered alongside other health indicators.
Image: A doctor measures a patient's waistline. (CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe suggested that financial incentives within the pharmaceutical industry might be playing a role. She argued that pharmaceutical companies profit from illness, and therefore, promoting overall health through lifestyle changes like diet and exercise might not align with their financial interests. Boothe implied that encouraging reliance on medications like Ozempic could be more lucrative.
The AMA's updated policy now recommends that doctors consider a broader range of factors, including genetics, body composition, belly fat, and waist circumference, in addition to BMI, when evaluating a patient's weight.
