PETER SHANKMAN
| POSTED ON August 2nd, 2005 | 6 COMMENTS | + ADD YOUR COMMENT |
For those who haven’t heard, here are President Bush’s workout and fitness stats.
Resting Heart rate: 47
Cholestrol: 178
Body fat: 15.79
"Very Low" risk of getting heart disease.
The full story on him is here.
So why do I call him our fittest overweight President?
According to a Press Release published by the Center for Consumer Freedom, (mind you, I have no idea who they are,) The President is overweight. Check it out:
This standard, called the Body Mass Index (BMI), is decidedly faulty since it only takes height and weight, and not muscle mass, into consideration. A BMI over 25 means you’re "overweight" and a BMI over 30 means you’re "obese." The President, with a BMI of nearly 27, is officially overweight, but in good company; Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with a BMI of 33, is considered "obese" and celebrities like Matt Damon, Will Smith, and Bruce Willis are in the "overweight" category.
It kills me. But that’s the beauty of the double standard. Everyone’s screaming about the BMI – What’s your BMI? I don’t know – What’s YOUR BMI! Mine’s too heavy! So’s mine! We’re overweight! Aaaagh! We’re gonna die!!
Our fittest overweight President doesn’t seem to think so, though. Interesting. I do give him props, though. Working out six days a week is a bitch for normal people, and he’s running the country.
Stupid BMI scale.
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He’s not fat, though. Like they say, BMI is meaningless. It assumes a statistically average muscle mass. BMI is a bad measure for the prez, who is apparently rough and ready behind those suits. It’s an absurd measure for Arnold, who’s weight is significantly higher due to his muscle mass. |
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The Center for Consumer Freedom says they’re “restaurants, food companies, and consumers working together to promote personal responsibility.” It’s people who want you to eat. No wonder they don’t like the BMI scale. |
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Slow news day or a diversion to distract the public from Bush’s latest activities? OK, who’s hiding the video news release? Cough it up… Is Mr. Prez running the country or ruining it (my, what a difference one letter can make)? Our foreign policy and international relations have taken a GIANT leap backwards. God only knows who’ll be appointed to replace Sandra Day O’Conner, and I’m just waiting for the rest of the Bell companies to reunite on an episode of Dr. Phil (which, if anyone needs, I’m in w/a new segment producer for the show). So it’s not a surprise that the BMI could come right out actuarial tables circa 1950. I’m full of piss and conspiracy theories so bear with me… Maybe BMI is a way for insurance companies to hike up premiums for life/health coverage? On a more practical level, how is it that standing at 5’3″, I’m “government approved” anywhere from 105 lbs. to 141 lbs. but at 142 lbs., I’m overweight? Ridiculous. Done ranting. Thanks. I feel better now. :) |
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Sure is funny, suzie, how some people see PRESIDENT BUSH and feel the need to change the topic to how much he sucks. I bet it really makes you feel queasy that you and the prez agree on something, even if it is the stupid BMI. Not that I think the prez is super, but it sure bugs me when people jump on any chance they get to regurgitate the same thing over and over. I’m suprized you didn’t mention something about evil SUV’s, Wal-Mart or non-vegans. Done ranting? That was a rant? I’ve heard it 6 thousand times before, but oh well…. at least you feel better. |
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