# Body Mass Index

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-mass-index/596973>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [September 20, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-mass-index/596973 "2011-09-20T18:43:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jmmapp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jmmapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmmapp)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-mass-index/596973/1 "2011-09-20T18:43:51Z")

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Has anyone ever compared differences between the populations originally used to establish the BMI (differences in bone density, for instance), and modern populations? As improvements in health and diet have led to greater longevity, height, etc., it seems possible that the originally-studied population may not be similar enough to draw conclusions about the modern population.

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**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-mass-index/596973/2 "2011-09-20T19:16:56Z")

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\<moderator\>

Can’t find a column this refers to. Fortunately, the OP cross posted it to GQ.

Go here to comment: (link removed)

This one’s closed.

\</mod\>

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**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-mass-index/596973/3 "2011-09-20T19:22:27Z")

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FWIW: The CoCC thread could remain open

[Is the body mass index (BMI) chart an accurate indicator of obesity?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2753/is-the-body-mass-index-bmi-chart-an-accurate-indicator-of-obesity)

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**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-mass-index/596973/4 "2011-09-20T19:26:22Z")

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\<moderator\>

Thanks. Six.

Reopened and moved from GQ.

\</mod\>

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**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-mass-index/596973/5 "2011-09-20T19:43:44Z")

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Although I think I mixed the links.

This is the article

> **[Is the body mass index (BMI) chart an accurate indicator of obesity?](https://www.straightdope.com/21343864/is-the-body-mass-index-bmi-chart-an-accurate-indicator-of-obesity)**