BMI vs Height to Waist

mike737
mike737 Posts: 68
edited October 3 in Health and Weight Loss
Just found this height to waist figure on the boots website.

http://www.webmd.boots.com/diet/calc-bmi-plus

Does it apply to guys though??? purely asking cause the guide images are all women

Replies

  • deathstarclock
    deathstarclock Posts: 512 Member
    Yeap
  • Srbrosseau
    Srbrosseau Posts: 58 Member
    I would NOT rely on this at all. These BMI calculators are very generic and therefore very inaccurate. In one way to calculate BMI, the larger the neck is will disproportianately lower your body fat even as your gut gets bigger.

    The best test is either water displacement, "bod pod" air displacement, or electrode testing (accuracy in that order as well).
  • deathstarclock
    deathstarclock Posts: 512 Member
    That website does a horrible job of explaining the apple and pear shape. Men put fat on mostly in the abdominal area, giving men an apple shape, whereas women put fat on mostly in the hip to thigh area, giving women a pear shape. I've never seen a dude with a pear shape in my life.
  • pftjill
    pftjill Posts: 488
    First off-I hate the use of BMI. I don't think it is truly accurate. It is a good measurement for people just starting off. I am over weight in my BMI, but my BF% is fine. I am a very muscular woman. It said I am in a healthy range with my waist to height. That being said to answer your question-yes. You get to chose male or female. They will calculate your results from what you put on there. Don't worry about the pics. The numbers are a little different for male or female so I am pretty positive since that ask they are calculating if you put male or female in.
  • pftjill
    pftjill Posts: 488
    Oh and it is not unheard of for men to have pear shapes-I have seen it before. Weird, but it is a possibility.
  • mike737
    mike737 Posts: 68
    I know that these things aren't great.

    But the healthy waist to height ratio that it gives me is a positive reinforcement.

    I'm not aiming to have a perfect BMI because of the imperfection in the system

    thanks for your answers folks
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