61% Of Our Military Overweight?

Gov. Huckabee, on August 30, 2007, had stated that 61% of our military was overweight. Being a veteran I instantly knew this was not accurate and it was very obvious that the study the Governor cited was based upon the BMI, which in not accurate and should be completely scrapped. When I was on active duty I weighed between 190 (at which I looked like a walking skeleton because I was sick) and 230 pounds at 6' tall with a 34" waist and never made BMI; I always had to be taped, which of course I always passed.

Well, Mike Huckabee '08 has a great post detailing the problems with the BMI and that the Governor did accurately quote from a study. This should clear up the whole thing and also point to the need to get rid of the BMI completely. In my opinion the BMI, when used on teenagers or insecure adults could mistakenly make them believe that they are overweight when in fact they are actually at the ideal weight for their body. This can lead to eating disorders and even suicide. While it is important to be aware of obesity, it is just as important to be aware of the danger of being underweight as that can also shorten life spans and cause higher medical costs.
A NOTE FROM S. ROMAN:

I just wanted to speak up on this issue also since I have have had experience with this whole subject. When my husband and I were preparing for our wedding I went in for my routine physical. Mind you, at the time I weighed 135 pounds at 5' 7" and I was in size 5-6 jeans (for my body frame that is very thin) and my doctor recommended that I try and loose up to 20 pounds! I was floored. Had I lost another 20 pounds I would have been hospitalized for anorexia! Ever since I have been very skeptical about a physicians recommendations on weight for adults.