Still overweight by BMI standards?

tashjs21

Have you seen this BMI Flickr set before? Pretty illuminating! Google Flickr Illustrated BMI Categories or go to the link below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77367764@N00/sets/72157602199008819/

Love it!

I'm glad you posted this because a lot of people think they're normal when they're overweight or even obese.

I was thinking it goes both ways...some people obviously need to lose some fat even though they think they look average but then again there are some that look perfectly healthy and you can tell they are toned and it has them listed as "overweight" or "bordering obese" :noway:


That has always been my problem...when I am toned and muscular, I am still "overweight". The one time I got down into my "normal" BMI range, I looked sickly and everyone begged me to eat something and put some weight back on. It was not pretty at all.

So personally speaking, as long as I am toned and feeling good, I don't care if that chart says "overweight".

tashjs21

Like her...perfect example. She is overweight. :noway:

rodneyderrick

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77367764@N00/sets/72157602199008819/

I'm glad you posted this because a lot of people think they're normal when they're overweight or even obese.

And some people think they still need to lose more pounds just because they are "overweight" or "obese" according to BMI. BMI is not the whole story.

BMI is what scientist use in order to evaluate the population's health. When a huge chunk of the population falls into the overweight range, scientist can usually measure the amount of obesity related diseases based on that. It isn't meant for individual usage to measure one's health, but it's an indicator. When putting two people side by side that exceed their healthy BMI ranges, one might be fit and thin while the other one is frumpy and unhealthy. We can't say that both individuals are overweight because they have the same BMI. One of the quick ways to evaluate the two individuals is the hip to waist ratio.

sdirbder

A few years ago I weighted ( 125- working out all day and sick) My ribs were showing and my hip bones stuck out. Not Healthy even though it was in my "Healthy" range. 135 looks good on me and I feel good but it is at the high range of my "healthy"

ceejay000

I am within in my BMI. A lot of people say that BMI is worthless, but I don't think so. If you're in shape, you don't have any fat hanging over your belt buckle, I don't think the BMI chart is a major concern. If you're over your BMI, you have fat hanging over your belt buckle, then I think BMI should be a concern, especially if you suffer from diabetes, heart disease or some sort of obesity related problem.

I think this is spot on. BMI is not worthless, but neither is it the perfect tool to determine your ideal body weight.

Wileyjoe

I am 5'10", 182 lbs and 10% BF. BMI says the high end for me should be about 170 lbs. So I guess I'm still overweight :P

tashjs21

BMI is what scientist use in order to evaluate the population's health. When a huge chunk of the population falls into the overweight range, scientist can usually measure the amount of obesity related diseases based on that. It isn't meant for individual usage to measure one's health, but it's an indicator. When putting two people side by side that exceed their healthy BMI ranges, one might be fit and thin while the other one is frumpy and unhealthy. We can't say that both individuals are overweight because they have the same BMI. One of the quick ways to evaluate the two individuals is the hip to waist ratio.

Thanks for that! That clarifies it a little more!

Thank you! :flowerforyou:

spacecase76

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77367764@N00/sets/72157602199008819/

Most of those appear correct / what I would expect. There were a few that I thought "huh?", but, the overwhelming majority appeared to fit their BMI category...

spacecase76

and, no, everyone will not look good in "healthy" range, it varies depending on muscle and body composition, I think most of us agree on that.

bcattoes

Has anyone reached their goal, look and feel great, but are still considered overweight by the BMI chart? If so, how many pounds over are you?

No, but I work for a healthcare orangization and at a recent discussion re: weight loss standards one of the doctors was pointing out why BMI is not the best method of determining obesity for many people. He said that nearly every player in the NBA falls into either the overweight or obese catergoy. BMI measures height and weight only with no allowance for fat vs. muscle content.

Fernandomike

I am within in my BMI. A lot of people say that BMI is worthless, but I don't think so. If you're in shape, you don't have any fat hanging over your belt buckle, I don't think the BMI chart is a major concern. If you're over your BMI, you have fat hanging over your belt buckle, then I think BMI should be a concern, especially if you suffer from diabetes, heart disease or some sort of obesity related problem.

I think this is spot on. BMI is not worthless, but neither is it the perfect tool to determine your ideal body weight.

It isn't worthless, but it is entirely overrated. It offers quasi-scientific numbers to make claims that someone is overweight based on 2 factors: height and weight. With so many other variables especially muscle tone, that's simply not enough.

I used it as a positive though. On my run Tues, I kept thinking about people giving credence to BMI and the fact that it lists my 5' 10", 177lb body as overweight as motivation to run 5 miles at 8 minutes per mile. That's my best ever. Thanks for the help. I'll take all I can get.

I

forever28

No way!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/77367764@N00/1472416891/in/set-72157602199008819

wildon883r

I don't buy into the curves argument nor do i believe that BMI is totally accurate. I'm 6 feet 1 and my ideal weight is 202lbs I look good. I'm pretty fit but i have some belly fat. If i lose 10-15 more lbs most of that will be gone but in all honestly being that thin doesn't suit my body size well. I know skinny males with some belly fat and they are very fit. For men 20% body fat preferably less is the goal.

CoryIda

I'm 5'10" and currently 195 pounds, which is still about 20 pounds over the top of my "ideal weight range" according to my BMI. I am shooting for another 15 pounds (I've lost 85 already) but, even then, I will still be 5-ish pounds "overweight." That, quite honestly, is ridiculous. I am fit and healthy as I am now and, if I was in the middle of my "ideal" range at around 155, I would look gross - as it is, I have these things I call "rib boobs" because my ribs poke out so much further than my waist. If I lost another 40 pounds, I would look emaciated. Then again, I have a large build and lots of muscle, which makes a difference.
Focus on being fit and healthy, regardless of what the scale or a chart says.