BMI Key for New Fitness Regimes, but Interpretation Remains a Challenge for Many

Mumbai: Health and wellbeing have increasingly become a priority for Mumbaikars in recent years. Initially driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, this fitness trend has continued to grow. Despite this, many are still uncertain about the best way to measure their workout progress. While some rely on traditional weighing scales, most use the Body Mass Index (BMI) – a common metric used in gyms. To assess the understanding of BMI and its importance in a fitness journey, Fortis Hospital, Mulund conducted a survey with 3,573 Mumbaikars. The respondents included 44% males and 46% females, with 27% aged 18-30, 31% aged 31-40, and 26% aged 41-50.

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 Insights:

The survey revealed that 55% of respondents were unaware of how to read and interpret BMI readings, with 13% relying on their doctor or gym instructor for assistance. Among the participants, 47% believed that weight loss would definitely result in a lower BMI, while 35% recognized that lowering BMI depends on multiple factors, and 18% were unsure about the correlation between weight loss and BMI. In terms of occupational activities, 42% of respondents were engaged in extensive desk-based work involving prolonged periods of sitting. In contrast, 25% were involved in physically demanding jobs requiring substantial time spent standing, and 19% were homemakers engaged in physically demanding chores.

Fitness-Related Insights:

When it came to fitness, 52% of respondents considered BMI to be a key parameter when initiating a new fitness regime. Additionally, 44% believed that periodic evaluation of BMI could serve as the sole measure of their workout's effectiveness, while 35% stated that the effectiveness of their fitness regime depended on factors such as waist circumference, muscle mass, and waist-to-hip ratio. Only 13% of respondents considered other health parameters like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, percentage of body fat, visceral fat, bone density, and body composition to be crucial.

Workout & Nutrition-Related Insights:

In terms of workout proficiency, 62% of respondents were noted to be at the beginner's level. For their workout routines, 24% engaged in brisk walking, jogging, full-body workouts (either at home or in the gym), and cycling. Meanwhile, 22% practiced yoga and meditation, and 13% were not exercising at all. Regarding nutrition, 11% felt that a diet rich in protein supplements, along with a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, helped them manage their protein intake. Conversely, 38% relied on a non-vegetarian diet for their protein needs.

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.”