Using a football player and a sedentary woman as examples, explain why the height/weight charts are inaccurate and unable to identify critical fat values associated with higher risk for disease

What will be an ideal response?


Standard height/weight charts, first published in 1912, were based on average weights (including shoes and clothing) for men and women who obtained life insurance policies between 1888 and 1905—a notably unrepresentative population. The recommended body weight on these tables was obtained according to sex, height, and frame size. Because no scientific guidelines were given to determine frame size, most people chose their frame size based on the column in which the weight came closest to their own! When body weight is the only criterion used in the height/weight charts, an individual might easily appear to be overweight according to these charts, yet not have too much body fat. A football player may appear "overweight" due to a large amount of muscles, whereas a sedentary woman who may have a high percent body fat will appear to be of "normal" body weight.

Health & Biomechanics

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