Fritz Allison

slm 521 sp03

3/5/03

Web drop-in #3

Body Mass Index

Grade Level: 11-12

One concept that you may hear about when talking or reading about fitness and obesity is body-mass index. Click on the BMI link below and read about it and answer the following questions in your journal. On questions #2 and #3 you are not required to record the answers in your journal, these questions are for your own information and benefit. Keep in mind that these type of rating systems are generalized for the average population, so we will also look at factors they do not take into account.

BMI

1. What is BMI and how is it calculated?

2. Using the BMI calculator provided, enter your information and find out your own BMI.

3. Scroll down and read what the calculator formulated your body description to be.

4. According to the answers to numbers 2 and 3, do you feel this accurately represents your body type?

5. What could be a problem with using BMI as an indicator for obesity?

6. Do you feel that using BMI is a good way to measure if someone is overweight or obese? Why or why not?