Staying Healthy

Do BMI numbers add up?

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
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Body mass index has had a mixed reputation for estimating obesity and possible health risks. Are there alternatives to measuring body fat?

How much body fat do you have? The number on a bathroom scale usually offers a clue, but it doesn’t always tell the complete story.

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About the Author

photo of Matthew Solan

Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch

Matthew Solan is the executive editor of Harvard Men’s Health Watch. He previously served as executive editor for UCLA Health’s Healthy Years and as a contributor to Duke Medicine’s Health News and Weill Cornell Medical College’s … See Full Bio
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