The use of BMI calculations may be inaccurate for which group?

The selection of individuals with large muscle mass as the group for which BMI calculations may be inaccurate is justified because Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated purely using weight and height, without accounting for body composition. Those with a significant amount of muscle mass can have a high BMI, which may categorize them as overweight or obese, even when they have low body fat and a healthy physique. This discrepancy occurs because muscle weighs more than fat, and BMI doesn’t differentiate between the two.

In contrast, children, individuals with chronic illness, and older adults are groups where BMI can pose some limitations. However, the inaccuracies primarily arise from varying factors such as growth patterns in children, shifts in body composition due to chronic illness, or changes in muscle mass in older adults. The most pronounced issue, particularly relevant to the context of BMI measurements, is with those having large muscle mass, as their BMI may misleadingly classify them without reflecting their actual health status accurately.