Editorial & Review Policy

Last updated: June 15, 2026

FitMetrics exists to put clinically validated health metrics into people’s hands in a form that’s easy to understand and act on. Trust is the whole point, so we are explicit about how our content is made.

Who writes and reviews our content

All articles and calculator methodology on FitMetrics are written and reviewed by Matt Wick, MD, who earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh and is board-certified in family medicine. He also completed the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP) program. Every article carries a visible byline and review note so you always know who stands behind the content.

How we source information

We build our content on the strongest evidence available, prioritizing in roughly this order:

1. Clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements from major bodies — for example the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Diabetes Association.
2. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
3. Individual randomized controlled trials and large prospective cohort studies.

The formulas used in our calculators are published, peer-reviewed equations (for example, Mifflin-St Jeor for basal metabolic rate, the U.S. Navy method for body fat estimation, and the Tanaka and Gulati equations for maximum heart rate). Each is documented, with its known limitations, on our About page.

How we handle uncertainty

Health science evolves and rarely speaks with one voice. When the evidence is mixed or still developing, we say so plainly rather than overstating certainty. We avoid sensational claims, “miracle” framing, and absolute promises about outcomes. Where a topic carries individual risk, we point readers to their own clinician.

Accuracy, corrections, and updates

We review articles periodically and update them when guidelines or the underlying evidence change; substantive updates are reflected in the “Updated” date on the article. If you spot an error, please contact us — we take corrections seriously and will fix confirmed mistakes promptly.

Independence and advertising

FitMetrics may display third-party advertising to support the free tools and content. Advertising is kept separate from editorial decisions: advertisers do not review, approve, or influence our articles or calculator methodology, and the presence of an ad is never an endorsement. Our recommendations are based on evidence, not on commercial relationships.

What this content is — and isn’t

Everything here is educational. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for care from a qualified provider who knows your history. Please read our Medical Disclaimer for the full statement.