Is BMI really an accurate measurement?

roseundeutsch
roseundeutsch Posts: 8
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I have been following my BMI to see if I am at a good weight or not. Starting my weight loss journey, I was 180 lbs and 5 ft 8 inches tall, and it said I was overweight. I am currently 171 lbs and still the same height and it still says I'm overweight. My goal is to be 145 eventually, and I have a ways to go to be at a normal weight. However, there is no way that I look overweight (in my opinion). Is BMI really an accurate measure of a healthy weight?

Replies

  • willdob3
    willdob3 Posts: 640 Member
    No, it is not a good measure of anything.
  • emergencytennis
    emergencytennis Posts: 864 Member
    I reckon it is a reasonable guide.

    It does not apply if one is extremely muscular and it does not apply to children or pregnant women.
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    BMI has one thing going for it - it's easy to calculate. That's about it, so don't sweat over that number. It's better to go with a body fat % estimator, but don't assume those are super acurate either. They're better but still not perfect.
  • tootoop224
    tootoop224 Posts: 281 Member
    No, it is not a good measure of anything.
    I keep hearing this, and I understand extremely muscular people will get labeled as overweight due to high body weight for their height, and some body type/"big boned" individuals will be mislabeled But why exactly is this not a good measure for the vast majority of people? It seems logical that having a measurement that takes your height and weight into consideration, makes perfect sense. Where does BMI go wrong?
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    It's pretty reasonable for most people. People with an unusually high or low amount of muscle will find it less accurate.

    Since you're planning on losing weight anyway, does it matter what the BMI scale says about you now? By the time you get even close to your goal weight, it will say that you are fine.
  • susannamarie
    susannamarie Posts: 2,148 Member
    No, it is not a good measure of anything.
    I keep hearing this, and I understand extremely muscular people will get labeled as overweight due to high body weight for their height, and some body type/"big boned" individuals will be mislabeled But why exactly is this not a good measure for the vast majority of people? It seems logical that having a measurement that takes your height and weight into consideration, makes perfect sense. Where does BMI go wrong?

    The big issue is with insurance companies, doctors, jobs with a fitness requirement etc. using it as gospel and not allowing people to satisfy requirements in some other way. For example, a lot of insurance companies will give a large discount to people who are in the healthy BMI range. People have pointed out (correctly, imo) that if they are in a good bodyfat range and overweight because of excess muscle, they should be able to submit a bodyfat measure instead.
  • brit__2006
    brit__2006 Posts: 201 Member
    Definately don't stress over that number! It's just a general idea for the average person with the average frame and the average build. (muscle mass) Not everyone has the average body. Just to give you an idea I'm 5'7 about 190 lbs and have tons of muscle. (more than most guys I know lol) but my BMI reading is 30.1 which is obese, but my waist to height ratio is .48 which is healthy weight. So you could use it as a simple guideline and how much you've lost, but I wouldn't bet a penny on the accuracy of it.

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