Episode #46
Beyond BMI: A Better Way to Understand Obesity
Your BMI can place you in a category. But it cannot tell you whether your weight comes from fat or muscle, where body fat is stored, or whether it is already affecting your health. In this solo episode, Dr. Pat McShane examines a newer clinical framework for understanding obesity. Two people with the same BMI can have very different body compositions, levels of organ function, and health risks. She explains why waist circumference, muscle mass, daily mobility, and other measures may reveal what the scale misses, especially as women grow older. In this episode, you'll discover: Why BMI can both overestimate and underestimate obesity, and how waist circumference and body composition can provide a more complete picture of your health How clinical obesity differs from preclinical obesity, and why organ function and limitations in everyday activities may matter more than weight alone What to consider when exploring diets and weight-loss medications, including why adequate protein, resistance exercise, nutrition, and hydration become especially important for older women This episode is for every woman whose BMI does not seem to tell the whole story, anyone considering a weight-loss approach, and everyone who wants to understand what body composition may mean for long-term health. - - - - - Dr. McShane is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She earned her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She then pursued her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Boston Hospital for Women, followed by completing her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. In addition to Dr. McShane’s extensive experience with treating infertility, she has dedicated decades of her career to educating the next generation of reproductive endocrinologists. Dr. McShane has served as an instructor in OB/GYN at Boston Hospital for Women, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, UMass Medical Center, and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. After her initial practice with reproductive-aged women, mostly seeking fertility, Dr. McShane became focused on the health of postmenopausal women following her own life journey and founded a video series. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). To further pursue her deep interest in women’s health in developing countries, Dr. McShane completed her Certificate in Global Public Health in May 2014 at Colorado School of Public Health. Dr. McShane has authored reports and abstracts on topics such as in vitro fertilization, preimplantation genetic testing, and fertility preservation. - - - - - Dr. Pat McShane, MD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-mcshane-0535ba3/ Website: https://www.womenshealthspan.net YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mcshanepmcshane9303 Substack: https://substack.com/@patmcshane Produced by DrTalks: https://drtalks.com/podcast/
