What do you think of the BMI?
Replies
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I treat it with a great deal of skepticism. We live in a time of plenty where it is far more reasonable to expect to achieve an optimal physique and health, and it's a tool designed in a time where food was a far more precious resource, and you did what you could to get by.0
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His BMI is - 28.6
He only ran for 2,097 yards last year. What a fat *kitten*0 -
Every time I step on the scale now I'll think "Ugh, thanks, Obama!"0
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He's like those people you see going around Walmart in electronic shopping carts. Fatty fatty fat cakes!
His BMI is - 28.6
He only ran for 2,097 yards last year. What a fat *kitten*0 -
I'm using it as my guideline. I think it's an accurate range of healthy weight for most people. Yes, there are exceptions who are so muscular that BMI says they're overweight when they're actually fit, but that's never going to be me. Or most of you.0
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I don't even think it 's a good guideline...
I am 5ft 7inches and 169 lbs...size 9...puts me at over weight now, prior to the 35lb loss I was "obese"...Really?? I don't think so...definately overweight but not obese.
I am in the same size clothing as I was when I was 15...but I weighed less then...
It doesn't take into account muscle mass, bone density/size etc.
My "healthy" weight range according to it is 121-140...at my smallest I was 158lbs (in the military and hard everywhere) I am currently aiming for bf% which to me is a better indicator of health as opposed to BMI0 -
I'm using it as my guideline. I think it's an accurate range of healthy weight for most people. Yes, there are exceptions who are so muscular that BMI says they're overweight when they're actually fit, but that's never going to be me. Or most of you.
Really??? perhaps that statement should read those of you who are not lifting weight....it already has me at overweight in a size 9 and appx 25% BF (which is too high for my liking but that is coming down)0 -
No, I reject the edit of my statement. I wear a size 8 now. I'm still overweight. What I hear a lot of people saying is, "But BMI says I'm fat...and I look good!" It's not an attractiveness scale.0
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Outdated practice0
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No, I reject the edit of my statement. I wear a size 8 now. I'm still overweight. What I hear a lot of people saying is, "But BMI says I'm fat...and I look good!" It's not an attractiveness scale.
How does sizing run in Sweden?0 -
No, I reject the edit of my statement. I wear a size 8 now. I'm still overweight. What I hear a lot of people saying is, "But BMI says I'm fat...and I look good!" It's not an attractiveness scale.
Never said it was an "attractiveness scale" what I said was a lot of us lift weights and that will put us in the overweight category based on BMI, which is a measurment of groups not individuals it is meant to be used as a simple means of classifying sedentary (physically inactive) populations, with an average body composition not active individuals.
You may fall into it's "guidelines" but I definately don't and there are a number of people here who don't either so there are a number of exceptions in this thread as well as on this site...saying "most of you" is a blanket statement that is quite probably false.0 -
No, I reject the edit of my statement. I wear a size 8 now. I'm still overweight. What I hear a lot of people saying is, "But BMI says I'm fat...and I look good!" It's not an attractiveness scale.
Never said it was an "attractiveness scale" what I said was a lot of us lift weights and that will put us in the overweight category based on BMI, which is a measurment of groups not individuals it is meant to be used as a simple means of classifying sedentary (physically inactive) populations, with an average body composition not active individuals.
You may fall into it's "guidelines" but I definately don't and there are a number of people here who don't either so there are a number of exceptions in this thread as well as on this site...saying "most of you" is a blanket statement that is quite probably false.
QFT!
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How come blanket statements never feel warm and cozy like an actual blanket?!No, I reject the edit of my statement. I wear a size 8 now. I'm still overweight. What I hear a lot of people saying is, "But BMI says I'm fat...and I look good!" It's not an attractiveness scale.
Never said it was an "attractiveness scale" what I said was a lot of us lift weights and that will put us in the overweight category based on BMI, which is a measurment of groups not individuals it is meant to be used as a simple means of classifying sedentary (physically inactive) populations, with an average body composition not active individuals.
You may fall into it's "guidelines" but I definately don't and there are a number of people here who don't either so there are a number of exceptions in this thread as well as on this site...saying "most of you" is a blanket statement that is quite probably false.
QFT!0 -
I think for most people it is a good guide, but I really think bf% is a better guage of whether or not you're at a healthy weight.0
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I personally do not think it is accurate because I am African American 5'0 and weigh 187. And it says for me to be a healthy BMI my weight would be 94-124 pounds. There is no way I will every be that size and still look healthy. And I currently wear a size 12 in juniors.0
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My BMI is 31 but at my last annual physical my doctor told me he knew it was inaccurate because of my build. I am more inclined to use the WYB scale.
The WYB scale (would you bang?) is much more accurate.
"Hey, good work at the gym, I'd totally bang you."0 -
How come blanket statements never feel warm and cozy like an actual blanket?!No, I reject the edit of my statement. I wear a size 8 now. I'm still overweight. What I hear a lot of people saying is, "But BMI says I'm fat...and I look good!" It's not an attractiveness scale.
Never said it was an "attractiveness scale" what I said was a lot of us lift weights and that will put us in the overweight category based on BMI, which is a measurment of groups not individuals it is meant to be used as a simple means of classifying sedentary (physically inactive) populations, with an average body composition not active individuals.
You may fall into it's "guidelines" but I definately don't and there are a number of people here who don't either so there are a number of exceptions in this thread as well as on this site...saying "most of you" is a blanket statement that is quite probably false.
QFT!
cause they are full of holes...apparently crocheted not knit.0 -
Depends on what you're using it for. Having a BMI in the "healthy" range doesn't necessarily mean you are healthy, and being in the "overweight" range doesn't necessarily mean you are unhealthy. But I don't think it's outrageous to use the chart as a rough guide for choosing a weight goal. It is not so far off base as to not be useful in that regard for most people. It's not what I prefer to use, but I've been at this for a long time. I'm close to goal, and I have a better idea of what I will look like when I reach my goal, so I don't really need to use a standardized scale that says "You'll be at a healthy weight when you're between X and Y."0
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My BMI is 31 but at my last annual physical my doctor told me he knew it was inaccurate because of my build. I am more inclined to use the WYB scale.
The WYB scale (would you bang?) is much more accurate.
"Hey, good work at the gym, I'd totally bang you."
lol yeah, totally!0 -
I wonder how many people on this site who state that the BMI calculator doesn't apply to them are indeed professional body builders or olympic athletes.0
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BMI is a generic measurement used to screw people over. Just wait people under the affordable care act (Obamacare); your health care premiums will be increased due to body Mass Index. That's right its coming. Now for what I think; according to BMI I am Obese; becasue I am 5'8" and weigh 205. However, I am what I would call ultra fit for a 40 something. I spent 3 hours and 36 minutes exercising yesterday. All high intensity. Obese people don't do that. But becasue the department of Health and Human Services released a new regulation tied to Obamacare we will all be punished based on BMI..
I work out like that and I am obese. (albeit barely, at this point) I rode 50 miles in one sitting a couple of months ago when I weighed about 30 pounds more than I do now, and I regularly go on several hour bike rides at a 14+ mph pace.
I am 6'2" and my goal is to weigh less than you do now. Maybe somewhere between 180 and 190. This is as someone who has a large frame size.
Most people would probably look at me now and say that I am overweight, but not obese. I think that is because our views have been shaped by how normal it is to be overweight today rather than by what is truly a healthy weight.0 -
I wonder how many people on this site who state that the BMI calculator doesn't apply to them are indeed professional body builders or olympic athletes.
Here are some olympic athletes for you....
No one said you had to be a professional body builder or olympic athlete. Regular people doing regular weight training can build enough muscle to render the BMI scale useless for themselves.
FYI: "Thin" is not everyone's goal. Some people (myself included) aim for a stronger body.0 -
BMI is a generic measurement used to screw people over. Just wait people under the affordable care act (Obamacare); your health care premiums will be increased due to body Mass Index. That's right its coming. Now for what I think; according to BMI I am Obese; becasue I am 5'8" and weigh 205. However, I am what I would call ultra fit for a 40 something. I spent 3 hours and 36 minutes exercising yesterday. All high intensity. Obese people don't do that. But becasue the department of Health and Human Services released a new regulation tied to Obamacare we will all be punished based on BMI..
My husband's company already uses it as part of their formula, to see if you'll get an annual HSA contribution. That along with blood work numbers (cholesterol etc). My husband's blood work isn't great and unless he decides to do something about it, we'll lose his part of the contribution next year. A lot of companies are going to this kind of insurance (HSAs with requirements to get contributions).0 -
I wonder how many people on this site who state that the BMI calculator doesn't apply to them are indeed professional body builders or olympic athletes.
Here are some olympic athletes for you....
No one said you had to be a professional body builder or olympic athlete. Regular people doing regular weight training can build enough muscle to render the BMI scale useless for themselves.
FYI: "Thin" is not everyone's goal. Some people (myself included) aim for a stronger body.
Thank you0 -
I wonder how many people on this site who state that the BMI calculator doesn't apply to them are indeed professional body builders or olympic athletes.
Here are some olympic athletes for you....
No one said you had to be a professional body builder or olympic athlete. Regular people doing regular weight training can build enough muscle to render the BMI scale useless for themselves.
FYI: "Thin" is not everyone's goal. Some people (myself included) aim for a stronger body.
Thank you
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I personally don't care what my weight is...I want a healthy BF% and to be able to do pull ups/chin ups again and bench more then my husband and/or son.0 -
I wonder how many people on this site who state that the BMI calculator doesn't apply to them are indeed professional body builders or olympic athletes.
exactly. It's not going to be 100% accurate but I think it's reasonable to say that the average person could certainly use it as a guideline.0 -
Nice guideline, just don't follow it 100%.0
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In a country where 2/3rds of the population are overweight or obese, (thus establishing the norm) it doesn't surprise me that people who see themselves as at a normal weight would view a tool that paints a more objective picture with skepticism.
I think it is a good tool in general. Consider that it accounts for variations in things like frame size and other individual differences by offering a wide range for a healthy weight.
YES!!
BMI provides a healthy weight range which is just that...a RANGE. usually when i hear people complaining about the BMI not being accurate it's b/c they are chunky monkeys.
generally speaking when you see someone who is average "fit" level (eg: not a body builder, pro athlete, or human anomaly) they would fall within their height and weight for a healthy weight.0 -
BMI is so flawed it's not even funny. There are lots of things it doesn't take in account like body types. I have no real use for it.0
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I wonder how many people on this site who state that the BMI calculator doesn't apply to them are indeed professional body builders or olympic athletes.
Here are some olympic athletes for you....
No one said you had to be a professional body builder or olympic athlete. Regular people doing regular weight training can build enough muscle to render the BMI scale useless for themselves.
FYI: "Thin" is not everyone's goal. Some people (myself included) aim for a stronger body.
I never said thin was everybody's goal. Where did you see me say that?
In my own experience, eating healthy got me to a BMI of 18.5. I definitely didn't starve myself to get here, and I strength train regularly. Of course, I am only basing this on my own experience, but I don't think I'm that much of a special snowflake. I think a lot of people short change themselves when setting goal weights of a BMI of 26 or higher because they only think that's as low as they can go.
I do agree that BF% is more important than BMI, but chances are, if you get yourself to an acceptable body fat/muscle percentage, you will most likely be in the middle of your BMI. Most likely - not 100%, of course.0
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