Why Do 55% of Fitness Enthusiasts Misinterpret BMI Findings?
Fortis Hosptial Mulund Survey: 52% Consider BMI a key parameter when starting a new fitness regime, But 55% could not Interpret the findings. The month-long survey was conducted by Fortis Hospital, Mulund, with 3,573 respondents in the age group of 18-50 years, across Mumbai
Experts have observed that over the past few years health and wellbeing has become a priority for Mumbaikars. Initially motivated by the COVID19 pandemic, the fitness trend has persisted. However, many remain unsure about the yardstick on which to benchmark their progress when working out. Some rely on the trusted weighing scale, while most use Body Mass Index (BMI) – a common assessment done across gyms. To evaluate people's understanding of the BMI tool, and if it is an essential asset in ones’ fitness journey, Fortis Hospital, Mulund conducted a survey amongst 3,573 Mumbaikars. Of these, 44% were male and 46% were female; 27% aged 18-30yrs, 31% aged 31-40yrs, and 26% aged 41-50yrs.
The month-long initiative helped gather people’s understanding about BMI parameters, their fitness regime, diet and nutrition patterns, among others.
KEY FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY:
Respondent focused:
55% respondents did not know how to read and interpret BMI readings; 13% were reliant on their doctor or gym instructor to decipher the findings
47% respondents believed that weigh loss would certainly result in low BMI; 35% believed that lowering BMI depended on multiple factors & 18% were unsure about the correlation weight loss and BMI
42% respondents engaged in extensive desk-based work, which involved prolonged periods of sitting. 25% respondents were involved in physically demanding jobs entailing substantial time spent standing, and 19% homemakers who spent a majority of their time engaging in physically demanding chores
Fitness-related:
52% respondents considered BMI to be a key parameter when initiating a new fitness regime
44% respondents believed that periodic evaluation of BMI could be the sole parameter to measure effectiveness of their workout, while 35% stated that effectiveness of their fitness regime depended on factors like waist circumference, muscle mass, waist to hip ratio, etc.
Only 13% respondents considered BP, Cholesterol, Diabetes, percentage of body fat, visceral fat, bone density, and body composition, as crucial health parameters.
Workout & nutrition-related:
62% respondents were noted to be at the beginners’ level of workout proficiency
24% respondents engaged in brisk walk, jogging, full body workout (at home or gym), and cycling for workout
22% respondents engaged in Yoga and meditation; while 13% respondents were not exercising at all
11% respondents felt that a diet rich in protein supplements, along with a mix of veg & non-veg food helped manage their protein intake
38% respondents relied on non-veg diet for their protein intake
Speaking about the initiative, Dr Vishal Beri, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Mulund, said, “The survey highlights that education on BMI and its implications is essential. Additionally, building awareness amongst the community about other health factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose levels, body fat percentage, and visceral fat becomes important. These factors, combined with BMI, offer a more comprehensive understanding of health, crucial for an effective and personalized fitness journey."
Commenting on the findings Dr Sanesh Tuteja, Consultant-Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, Fortis Hospital Mulund said, “The findings highlight a trend towards adoption of sedentary occupations, where individuals spend prolonged periods at their desks. However, a big positive is the increased awareness about the importance of fitness & activity, with many opting for home or outdoor despite busy schedules. While BMI is a common screening tool, its limitation in accurately measuring fat and muscle composition is evident. Body composition monitors are now widely available and offer a more precise gauge of overall health, as compared to BMI.”