this is literally something for my pysch homework:

2) ASSESSMENT: HEALTH (worth 6 pts.) Body Mass Index is the measure of choice as a practical indicator of the severity of obesity. Go to http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ and calculate your BMI calculated.

What is your BMI? _____________

Using your BMI, circle the category you fall into below. Use this category to strategize your food plan.

Underweight = <18.5

Normal weight = 18.5-24.9

Overweight = 25-29.9

Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

List your waist circumference and gender. WC = ________ G = ________

If your BMI is 25 or over AND your WC is over 35in (F) or 40in (M) then you are assessed as having a disease risk. For a chart on the level of risk, see http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/bmi_dis.htm What is your level of disease risk?

None Increased High Very High Extremely High

so i emailed my professer this:

Dear Professor xxx,

This is Alexa White from your online PYSC A100 class. I came across an issue with the first assignment in the third unit of attatchment. I happen to be diagnosed with Bulimia and it is part of my treatment not to weigh myself or measure myself, therefore I cannot submit my BMI for the assignment. I am aware that I can do extra credit to make up the six points I will lose for this; and normally I would just skip over this part and not feel I should consult my professor about this, but I am certain that I am not the only student in this course with an eating disorder. This question can be extremely triggering to many students, therefore I feel it is my moral duty to bring this subject into the light. Not only can it be triggering, but body mass index is absolutely no indication of health. It takes no account of muscle vs. fat into play, therefore very muscular people can be classified as ‘obese.’ Also, an obese person can be perfectly healthy while a person with a “normal” weight can have health problems up to their ears. Not to mention, using the term “normal” weight can be terribly hurtful to those who do not fit into that category. I also find the fact that this part of the assignment was under 'health’ was very untrue and misleading. There is a whole billion dollar industry out there to make us, specifically women, feel bad about ourselves, we don’t need added things in our lives, such as BMI scales being thrust upon us outside of the nightmare that was middleschool physical education. I absolutely respect you as my professor, I just would like you to reconsider having something that could be considered fatphobic and triggering, such as a BMI scale in the curriculum.

DID I DO GOOD???

also i just realized that in the assignment it goes by a gender binary SHIT tbh i didnt even look at it i just saw the bmi thing and was mad but i shouldve said something about that too :(( im sorry guys

but did i do good? seriously im nervous do you think she’ll be mad.

Mod response:

I think you did AWESOME. Alas, there’s a pretty good chance she’ll be mad anyway. It’s ok if you can’t keep fighting the battle, but if you can do so, it would be awesome. If you can and wish to, you could bring her some of the many, many articles and studies that show what’s wrong with the BMI, how fat does not equal unhealthy, and how obsession with weight contributes to eating disorders. If she continues to push back, you can take the issue to her department head and to the disabilities office (ED is counted as a mental illness, mental illness is counted as a disability, therefor your prof is doing something that can harm people with disabilities, starting with YOU). But first and foremost, keep yourself safe, and if you can’t do it for ANY reason, don’t. You did great to challenge her.



-MG

