Why is my BMI so high?

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Replies

  • RosieRose7673
    RosieRose7673 Posts: 438 Member
    thiosulfate wrote: »
    Person A is 5'4" and 150 lbs. They keep most of their weight in their breasts, thighs, and butt. Person B is 5'4" and 150 lbs. They keep most of their weight in their stomach and arms.

    Both person A and person B are equally overweight while person A may be more "attractive" in society. Where you hold your weight does not affect BMI and it doesn't mean you aren't overweight if you hold weight well.

    However, BMI doesn't tell the whole picture. You're better off finding out your BF%.

    Yup! This! I'm 5'4.5. When I was 150 lb, I was definitely Person B! I wore a size 4 jeans but I held all my weight in my gut and my arms!
  • AnthonyX150X
    AnthonyX150X Posts: 293 Member
    Your BMI was high because you entered your height and weight into the calculator and got a BMI of 25.7, which is classified as overweight.

    It's really that simple...

    However, at 5'4" 137 lbs your new BMI is 23.5, which is within the normal weight category.
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,282 Member
    I agree, you do not look overweight in that photo.

    Which isn't really surprising seeing you have a BMI of 25.7 which is barely overweight anyway.
    BMI is an approximate guide - there isn't any significant difference between, say, 24.9, just inside healthy range, and 25.7, just outside it.

    Not getting the issue here.

    This does not invalidate BMI at all - you look a pretty healthy weight because you are a pretty healthy weight.
  • JuicerLab
    JuicerLab Posts: 22 Member
    BMI is based on height and weight. Any BMI between the 25th and 75th percentile is fine. That only indicates that over 50% are lighter than you for their height, it has nothing to do with health.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Mouse_Potato wrote: »
    Unfortunately for me, no one ever says "bellylicious." :(

    Hall! Sing it, sister.
  • Rocknut53
    Rocknut53 Posts: 1,794 Member
    JuicerLab wrote: »
    BMI is based on height and weight. Any BMI between the 25th and 75th percentile is fine. That only indicates that over 50% are lighter than you for their height, it has nothing to do with health.

    BMI is a formula applied to an individual and has nothing to do with percentage of population and it is a "general" indication of your health. ("The BMI is an attempt to quantify the amount of tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) in an individual, and then categorize that person as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese based on that value. However, there is some debate about where on the BMI scale the dividing lines between categories should be placed." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index) I use the term "general" loosely because like many have said a higher BMI does not necessarily mean you are not healthy. It is easier for your doctor to say, "yep, with your height and weight, you are borderline obese" than it is for them to accurately measure and give you a more realistic figure. That said, at my last physical my doctor told me that I was borderline obese. I scoffed at her and said that's impossible, I hike and ski....in reality, I was an overweight hiker/skier in denial. Today, almost 40 pounds lighter I'm looking forward to my next visit. She will be pleased that she doesn't have to tell me I'm borderline obese and finally for the first time in over 20 years at a healthy BMI. It is just a number, but for most of the population a close enough number that we should at least pay attention to it if, and "if" is the big factor, we are not going to use other means to determine our health status.
  • ericatoday
    ericatoday Posts: 454 Member
    Its because of the way you carry. But your bmi is high because of your height. Youre 5'4 so at 150 you say it was 25.7 well im 5'7 and at 150 mine would be 23.5 and at 137 yours will probably be around 23.5 while mine would be 21.5.

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