Petition · past parliament · Department of Health and Social Care
Ban the use of BMI in NHS health checks & public service/military recruitment.
Closed
98 signatures
What the petition asks
Athletes and athletic individuals are constantly told they are overweight/obese according to BMI. We know it's outdated and to ignore it yet people are denied medical procedures and employment into the forces/service based on it. It needs replacing with something that isn't inaccurate for thousands.
Personally being repeatedly told I was overweight triggered my eating disorder as a teen. I want to stop this from happening to the next generation of young people. BMI doesn't account for muscle mass and increases weight stigma so actively discourages athleticism. It also encourages the loss of muscle mass and inactivity.
In the army, BMI is a deciding factor at the point of entry. You need muscle mass to lift a casualty, especially as a woman. BMI is actively discouraging muscle mass.
In the army, BMI is a deciding factor at the point of entry. You need muscle mass to lift a casualty, especially as a woman. BMI is actively discouraging muscle mass.
Timeline
| 16 Sep 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 16 Mar 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
98
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
16 Sep 2020
Closed
16 Mar 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.