Reevaluating Women's Health: Personal Struggles and Beyond BMI Metrics

Gisèle Pelicot’s poignant reflection sheds light on the profound personal and emotional toll of women’s health challenges, particularly in the face of medical dismissal and relationship trauma. In her narrative, she describes a decline into near paralysis—both physical and emotional—that went unexplained despite numerous medical examinations. Pelicot recalls how her health deteriorated after retiring and spending more time with her partner Dominique, whose laughter during her distress deepened her sense of isolation and abandonment. This personal account highlights the often overlooked complexity and emotional layers found in women’s health struggles.

Complementing this intimate perspective is a critical examination of traditional health metrics such as Body Mass Index (BMI). Originating in the 1800s through Adolphe Quetelet’s work, BMI has become a widespread tool for assessing obesity and health risks. However, its limitations—especially for women—are increasingly evident. According to mathematician Diana Thomas, BMI oversimplifies body composition by treating the body like a cylinder and failing to consider fat distribution, such as hips and curves which are typical of women’s bodies.

Newer metrics like waist-to-hip ratio, weight-adjusted waist index, and body roundness index offer more nuanced insights by focusing on where fat accumulates rather than total weight alone. Research underlines that visceral fat, more prevalent in men, poses greater risks for heart disease and diabetes, whereas women often carry subcutaneous fat, illustrating the inadequacy of BMI for personalized health assessments.

Together, these narratives and analyses underscore the need for holistic approaches that recognize both the personal and physiological dimensions of women’s health beyond simplistic measurements.