Calls for the use of BMI to determine if someone's weight is healthy to be scrapped
It's due to concerns it contributes to eating disorders
There are calls for the use of the Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine if someone's weight is healthy to be scrapped due to concerns it contributes to eating disorders, according to a report by MPs.
The Women and Equalities Committee warned the impact of the pandemic, both on eating disorder sufferers and those at a high risk of developing one, has been "devastating''.
Their inquiry into body image also branded the Government's obesity strategy "dangerous'' for those with negative body image, potentially triggering eating disorders in the people it is designed to help.
Nicole Foster from Leeds suffers from eating disorders, she said:
"I was told I don't fit the criteria, and when I've had this recent relapse the fear of them turning round and saying no again, was just too much for me to take the risk.
"I class myself as a revolving door, because I never got the correct early intervention, and I think if at 18, they took me into their services, I wouldn't have relapsed twice more, because I wouldn't have lived with the behaviours for so long and that was all down to my BMI being too high."
Dr Julia Coakes is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Insight Eating & Therapy Centre said:
"Some people get very anxious about their BMI being above 25 and start to restrict their diet, when there's no need, this is genetically where they are suppose to be.
"But I've also seen people with low BMI's being refused services because they aren't low enough, they'll say you can't get in unless your BMI isn't less than 17.5, but actually you can have a BMI of 18 and be very unwell with an eating disorder.
"It isn't about BMI, it's about what you eat and the effect it has on your weight, that's a better way of judging if someone needs treatment."
What does the report say?
The report warns that BMI, used as a health risk indicator in individual patients who are then put on weight loss or weight gain programmes prompted by their score, contributes to issues such as eating disorders and poor mental health.
"We have been hugely saddened to hear of the number of people who have faced appearance and weight-based discrimination when accessing NHS services,'' the report said.
"The use of BMI inspires weight stigma, contributes to eating disorders, and disrupts people's body image and mental health.''
It recommended that Public Health England stops using BMI as a measure of individual health and instead focuses on a "Health at Every Size'' approach.
This honours differences in factors such as age, ethnicity and gender, and prioritises healthy lifestyle choices over correcting weight, according to the report.
It also urged the Government to immediately scrap plans for calorie labels on food in restaurants, cafes and takeaways, amid concerns it will contribute to growth in eating disorders and disordered eating.
MPs also called on the Government to bring forward legislation restricting or banning the use of altered images in adverts, over concerns this is contributing to poor body image.
Chair Caroline Nokes said:
"Over the past 10 years, there has been a wealth of research and recommendations on how to tackle negative body image but Government action in this area is limited - we need to see urgent action.
"The pressure will intensify as gyms and beauty salons reopen on Monday.
"This may be exciting for some but it will be difficult for people who experience body image anxieties. It's critical that Government action works towards improving body image.''