BMI Question

aerome

Are BMI calculators accurate for women with large breasts?

SueInAz

It's body differences like that which cause so much controversy around BMI calculators. Body builders, for example, are usually classified as obese because of their increased muscle mass. You really need to combine your BMI with your waist size. If I remember correctly, it's over 40" for obese but don't quote me.

godroxmysox

BUMP

monkeydharma

BMI is a general rule of thumb. One takes it into account, but doesn't treat it as gospel.

diaryoffatdad

BMI is only really good for mass populations. it is an easy and cheap way for doctors and researchers to classify the masses. on an individual level they are next to useless. because there are so many other variables. like the other poster said, a very fit guy (or girl) with a larger amount of muscle would be classified as obese and there are similar problems on the other side of that scale.

there are other measurements that are more valuable to the individual, waist circumference, hip:waist ratio, body fat, skin folds (if done properly) etc.

don't put too much weight into BMI.....it is OK as a very loose guideline

LaDiablesse

BMI doesn't actually measure the percentage of body fat. It's based on your height & your weight plain & simple. As sfoust66 said, body builders are classified as obese which obviously isn't correct.

I'm large breasted, and they don't go away when I lose weight. So I wouldn't rely on a BMI calculator alone to determine anything.

xraychick77

I dont like BMI's for the fact that it doesnt take into account Lean body mass..meaning muscle mostly. those who have lots of muscles can register high BMI's..if you want to judge anything you need to find your body fat %

VialOfDreams

Are BMI calculators accurate for women with large breasts?

Yes and no. Yes, if you use a BMI calculator that takes into consideration your body frame. Also, remember that breasts will shrink with weight. I always thought I had big boobs (measuring 36DD), until I lost the weight and turns out my 'normal' boobs are much smaller.

But I hate BMI calculators. Which is why I also said "no". They do not take into consideration body-fat percentage. Body-fat percentage is the most accurate way to determine whether or not one is too lean, lean, just right, overweight or obese. You can buy the equipment to measure it (there is a digital machine that does a really good job at it), or you can just have it measured at your local gym for an accurate result.

david081

I don't think you should place too much emphasis on BMI - how you look is the important thing. Standing in front of the mirror naked is a pretty good measure in my opinion - we know when we look good... mostly, and for those who don't, I'm sorry for you...

Taith

I wish there was something that would take into account my bust (I got stuck with and I cup).

jwdieter

I wish there was something that would take into account my bust (I got stuck with and I cup).

What's the point? If you're fat, you're fat with big boobs. If you're lean, you're lean with an I cup (...). I'm guessing you're not lean. And BMI says you're overweight or obese or whatever it says. Body fat analysis might put you at 32%. Some of that is breasts, too, of course. But so what?

What matters is your health and how comfortable you are with your body. If you have fat rolls you want to get rid of, eat a decent amount of protein, exercise, and eat at an overall calorie deficit.

Maybe you'll be the way you want to look and feel in 10 lbs. Maybe 40. Everyone has different objectives.

A_nori

I use my BMI as a guide. It is not the end-all, be-all but is something I look to for an idea of what I should weigh. I have never weighed in at a healthy BMI - my chest is way too huge even at my smallest - and I think that would be way too thin for me. But I would like to be closer to that number. My Dr said she doesn't get concerned unless you are classified as obese or higher.

CyndiBussey

Unfortunately, the cosmetic surgeon who I want to remove my extra skin DOES rely on it. I have DDs they definitely add 5-10 lbs to my frame. I am also 5' 3". She won't do surgery unless my BMI is under 35. I'm at 38. with big boobs and a LOT of extra skin.

bpetrosky

Oddest necro thread ever...

nutmegoreo

CyndiBussey wrote: »

Unfortunately, the cosmetic surgeon who I want to remove my extra skin DOES rely on it. I have DDs they definitely add 5-10 lbs to my frame. I am also 5' 3". She won't do surgery unless my BMI is under 35. I'm at 38. with big boobs and a LOT of extra skin.

Sounds like your plastic surgeon wants people to be happy with their results. BMI of 35 is still obese and would require another 28 lbs lost to get to overweight, nevermind the top end of healthy weight. Results are much improved the closer you are to goal weight. You could always look for a shady surgeon who is more concerned about his income than your outcome.

TavistockToad

CyndiBussey wrote: »

Unfortunately, the cosmetic surgeon who I want to remove my extra skin DOES rely on it. I have DDs they definitely add 5-10 lbs to my frame. I am also 5' 3". She won't do surgery unless my BMI is under 35. I'm at 38. with big boobs and a LOT of extra skin.

How did you even find this thread to comment @cyndibussey?

collectingblues

CyndiBussey wrote: »

Unfortunately, the cosmetic surgeon who I want to remove my extra skin DOES rely on it. I have DDs they definitely add 5-10 lbs to my frame. I am also 5' 3". She won't do surgery unless my BMI is under 35. I'm at 38. with big boobs and a LOT of extra skin.

At an obese BMI, that's a valid concern. 5-10 pounds are a drop in the bucket. I'm your height, and a DD, and their contribution to my BMI is marginal.

Even so -- Let's say we're generous and we take off 10 pounds. That only gets you to a 36 BMI. 5 pounds gets you to 37.

Perhaps continue to focus on an overall deficit and continue losing weight.

ruqayyahsmum

CyndiBussey wrote: »

Unfortunately, the cosmetic surgeon who I want to remove my extra skin DOES rely on it. I have DDs they definitely add 5-10 lbs to my frame. I am also 5' 3". She won't do surgery unless my BMI is under 35. I'm at 38. with big boobs and a LOT of extra skin.

I'll skip the fact you've dragged back a 4 year thread and just respond to your gripe

I'm around your BMI with tons of loose skin due to losing 170lb but my boobs are a G cup

No way would I be ready for surgery. Still too much fat to get a good result and still being obese the risk of complications during surgery and recovery is too high

Where I live no surgeon will do cosmetic surgery until your under BMI 28 and have been maintaining for a year

seska422

The only way that I can see a reputable cosmetic surgeon doing skin surgery at a BMI above 30 is if it is a preliminary surgery to get rid of a physical impediment to movement, such as a low-hanging panniculus.

New_Heavens_Earth

seska422 wrote: »

The only way that I can see a reputable cosmetic surgeon doing skin surgery at a BMI above 30 is if it is a preliminary surgery to get rid of a physical impediment to movement, such as a low-hanging panniculus.

Also if the loose skin is causing pain, infections, or lymphedema. Many weight loss shows I watch feature skin removal surgery on patients nowhere near goal weight.

PAV8888

This (necro) thread!

Some small percentage of dedicated bodybuilders or athletes may tip into the obese BMI range. Many more might be classified as overweight even though they are not. And some might classify as high normal when they are actually quite lean

By numbers most athletes are...hold your breath... normal! Not overweight or obese.

The difference in health risks moving from BMI 30 (obese) to BMI 28 (overweight) is appreciable.

The health risks moving from between BMI 30 and 34.9 (obese class 1 or lower-risk) to somewhere between 35 and 39.9 (obese class 2 or moderate-risk obesity) are even larger. And moving to 40 and above (obese class 3 or high-risk) larger still.

I started at BMI 43 and I can tell you that I am absolutely glad I didn't have to get a hernia surgery till I was at a near normal BMI. Outcomes and recovery time and my bounceback from a couple of faceplants I took while discovering I had post surgery POH would have been quite different.

Your doctor is actually a risk taker by agreeing to do elective surgery at BMI 35, possibly because she is already taking into account that excess skin and tissue would bring you to below 35.

But some excess tissue and boob is not enough to bring you from 38 to below 30.

Also, because of the nature of BMI, tall people often run a higher risk of being falsely classified as overweight or obese by BMI when they aren't. And shorter people have the opposite problem, i.e. they have a higher risk of being classified as normal when they're overweight, or overweight when obese.

At 5ft 3" you're at a height where that second risk has the potential to come into play.

In any case, based on my personal experience, I would wait till at least bmi 28 (the original normal BMI high cut off) to have any non life threatening surgery.

Your body and the surgeons are just better able to cope at that point.

PS: if you're a juicing bodybuilder feel free to adjust your mental BMI values by a few points to account for your excess muscle mass. Or, in your case, to take an extra 5 to 10lbs of breast tissue into account when mentally calculating your "BMI"