"Based on B.M.I., Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was a bodybuilder would have been categorized as obese and needing to lose weight." That's just one example that points to the increasingly obvious conclusion that the body mass index, or BMI, is an imperfect indicator of health. Is there a better model? Researchers think they've shape-shifted their way to a new one, and I'm not sure I like it. "Welcome a new metric: the body roundness index. B.R.I. is just what it sounds like — a measure of how round or circlelike you are, using a formula that takes into account height and waist, but not weight. It’s a formula that may provide a better estimate of central obesity and abdominal fat, which are closely linked to an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, unlike fat stored on the buttocks and thighs." (I'm pear-shaped and have no ass, so I'm going to preemptively toss my roundness index into the circular file.) NYT (Gift Article): Time to Say Goodbye to the B.M.I.? 2Father and Gun"Georgia officials charged the father of the suspected Apalachee High gunman with two counts of second-degree murder Thursday — the most severe charges ever filed against the parent of an alleged school shooter. The arrest came less than 36 hours after two students and a pair of teachers were gunned down with an AR-15-style rifle that, investigators allege, the man allowed his 14-year-old son to posses." WaPo (Gift Article): In historic case, father of 14-year-old school shooting suspect charged with murder. This follows a very new prosecutorial trend of holding parents accountable in these cases. That might make sense, especially in cases like this one where a parent gives a kid an AR-15 as a gift after being aware of the kid's mental issues and school shooting fantasies. But does holding parents accountable go high enough up the chain? What about gunmakers who lobby for fewer regulations? What about lawmakers who are willing to trade children's lives for a few bucks and votes? In making a point about the now-arrested father, it seems to me that the shooter's grandfather makes a point about the broader problem. "If he didn’t have a damn gun, he wouldn’t have gone and killed anybody." 3Hush to Judgement"Merchan wrote that he was postponing the sentencing 'to avoid any appearance — however unwarranted — that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate ... The Court is a fair, impartial, and apolitical institution." Judge delays Donald Trump’s sentencing in hush money case until after November election. (It's not clear that this decision will have any impact on the election. But it sure is interesting how hard our system works to ensure elections are fair for a person who tries to overthrow elections.) 4Weekend WhatsWhat to Watch: I used to be an English Teacher, so maybe I'm biased. But the new comedy, English Teacher on Hulu/Fx is absolutely fantastic through two episodes. 5Extra, ExtraGlobal Crime Spree: "Over several decades, at least 10 priests and missionaries moved to Papua New Guinea after they had allegedly sexually abused children, or had been found to do so, in the West, according to court records, government inquiries, survivor testimonies, news media reports and comments by church officials. These men were part of a larger pattern: At least 24 other priests and missionaries left New Zealand, Australia, Britain and the United States for Pacific Island countries like Fiji, Kiribati and Samoa under similar circumstances." NYT (Gift Article): In the Pacific, a ‘Dumping Ground’ for Priests Accused or Convicted of Abuse. 6Feel Good Friday"The first day they gave away the ice cream, supplies ran out in 10 minutes and $1,000 was raised. Then, word began to spread about the fundraiser and Danny’s clash with the town. Local media ran stories about the stand, prompting scores of local businesses to hold their own fundraisers for the hockey team." Town officials shut down a boy’s ice cream stand." Fundraisers followed.
|
