We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

BMI calculations for shorties

lynniejones
lynniejones Posts: 1,291 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Does anyone have any suggestions for people who are under 5 foot tall when calculating BMI. It's frustrating to be in size 10's, 150 lbs and still obese. grrr:angry: I mean I know I'm a chubbo but it bothers me about it not being accurate for short folks.

Replies

  • lynniejones
    lynniejones Posts: 1,291 Member
    Does anyone have any suggestions for people who are under 5 foot tall when calculating BMI. It's frustrating to be in size 10's, 150 lbs and still obese. grrr:angry: I mean I know I'm a chubbo but it bothers me about it not being accurate for short folks.
  • Heather125
    Heather125 Posts: 433 Member
    I wish I had an answer for you I'm 5'3 I know your frustration :laugh: good luck
  • singfree
    singfree Posts: 1,591 Member
    Lynnie, two things really make me crazy on diet & fitness websites- the dreaded scale and the BMI.

    Consider this: If your scale was broken and you could not calculate your BMI, where would you turn? To the mirror and your clothing. I have friends who use the scale and BMI sometimes several times per day, and it is rarely a pleasant experience for them.

    I've been eating clean and exercising hard for about a month now. I can really see improvement when I look in the mirror and try on my formerly tight jeans. The bottom line for me is... if I am becoming a healthier person through a good diet and exercise, my weight doesn't matter. A better indicator would be a body fat analysis.

    BTW I am a male, 5'8" and need to keep my body fat low so I don't look like a "chubbo". Even though I am curious, I have not gotten on the scale yet.
  • Lynnie, two things really make me crazy on diet & fitness websites- the dreaded scale and the BMI.

    Consider this: If your scale was broken and you could not calculate your BMI, where would you turn? To the mirror and your clothing. I have friends who use the scale and BMI sometimes several times per day, and it is rarely a pleasant experience for them.

    I've been eating clean and exercising hard for about a month now. I can really see improvement when I look in the mirror and try on my formerly tight jeans. The bottom line for me is... if I am becoming a healthier person through a good diet and exercise, my weight doesn't matter. A better indicator would be a body fat analysis.

    BTW I am a male, 5'8" and need to keep my body fat low so I don't look like a "chubbo". Even though I am curious, I have not gotten on the scale yet.


    I use the mirror alot and promised myself I would only weight myself maybe once a month. I am a shortie at 4'11 and im about 133 right now. I found a lot of satisifaction just relying on what I look like and how I feel. The BMI thing just confuses me.
  • lenece
    lenece Posts: 389 Member
    Lynnie, two things really make me crazy on diet & fitness websites- the dreaded scale and the BMI.

    Consider this: If your scale was broken and you could not calculate your BMI, where would you turn? To the mirror and your clothing. I have friends who use the scale and BMI sometimes several times per day, and it is rarely a pleasant experience for them.

    I've been eating clean and exercising hard for about a month now. I can really see improvement when I look in the mirror and try on my formerly tight jeans. The bottom line for me is... if I am becoming a healthier person through a good diet and exercise, my weight doesn't matter. A better indicator would be a body fat analysis.

    BTW I am a male, 5'8" and need to keep my body fat low so I don't look like a "chubbo". Even though I am curious, I have not gotten on the scale yet.


    I use the mirror alot and promised myself I would only weight myself maybe once a month. I am a shortie at 4'11 and im about 133 right now. I found a lot of satisifaction just relying on what I look like and how I feel. The BMI thing just confuses me.
    I have this same problem..I'm 4'11 and weigh 199 and used to be 295..I also have a major problems tryin to get rid of the girls which are a size 44DD..So you could imagine that my weight is not poprtioned* well..(I need to learn how to spell) If anyone finds out how do calculate for us short folks let me know..:flowerforyou:
  • singfree
    singfree Posts: 1,591 Member
    Ladies, I can certainly understand being frustrated. Sometimes these so-called "tools", namely the BMI are not all-encompassing...especially for shorter people. My previous post was not meant to criticize anyone. After all, we are all in the same boat here! I have enough stress in my life without worrying about the scale or BMI (which is confusing and irritating at best). Good luck to all who are seeking a healthy lifestyle!!
This discussion has been closed.