bmi mistake???

baybaybleux
baybaybleux Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm 21 5'6 weight 164 and wear a size 8 (probably would wear a 6 but i have a big behind) I think i look pretty average with with maybe 5 extra lbs on me. so why does my bmi tell me im over weight? i dont even get "in danger of being over weight" just plain over weight. i dont have big boobs but i am very much so an hour glass figure and not very muscular.
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Replies

  • swthrtsmrf
    swthrtsmrf Posts: 384
    Have you tried other BMI calculators besides just the one on here? Sometimes they can very in numbers and opininons. Your BMI though does not have anything to do with what size clothes you wear.
  • Glasgow_Vegan
    Glasgow_Vegan Posts: 209 Member
    Are you using metric measurements on the right BMI calculator settings?
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    BMI doesn't take into account bone structure or muscle, according to BMI a well-muscled athlete is overweight.

    I would change to looking at your body fat percentage, not your BMI.
  • Sublog
    Sublog Posts: 1,296 Member
    I'm 21 5'6 weight 164 and wear a size 8 (probably would wear a 6 but i have a big behind) I think i look pretty average with with maybe 5 extra lbs on me. so why does my bmi tell me im over weight? i dont even get "in danger of being over weight" just plain over weight. i dont have big boobs but i am very much so an hour glass figure and not very muscular.

    Because you are carrying 20-30 lbs of extra fat on you. That is why. Not to sound rude. But if you're happy with what you weigh, be happy. Its just a number.
  • Glasgow_Vegan
    Glasgow_Vegan Posts: 209 Member
    I'm 5'4, weigh 136.6lb and my BMI is 23.4 if that helps. I wear a UK size 12 (from H&M at least) so clothing size doesn't always determine healthy weight.
  • virginia65us
    virginia65us Posts: 106 Member
    I'm slightly taller (5'7") and weigh about 161 and my bmi comes up as "overweight" too. BMI is one indicator of fitness, but really isn't the best indicator. It doesn't take into account frame size, amount of lean body mass, etc. My husband is 6' and 196 and very muscular and his BMI is considered "overweight" as well, even though he's quite fit. If you can, try to have your body fat percentage checked at your gym. That's a much better indicator of overall fitness.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    Because according to the BMI scale you should weigh 136lbs or around 136lbs.
  • mom2handh1975
    mom2handh1975 Posts: 224 Member
    Personally, I think the BMI is bull. There has been way too much emphasis on BMI, and not enough on overall health. You sound like you actually like your body, except for the 5 pounds you want to lose, so don't let some stupid calculator make you feel bad about yourself. Focus on total health, pay attention to what you eat, and lift some weights. Love yourself, and lock that evil calculator in a deep, dark closet somewhere and never let it out again!
  • mom2handh1975
    mom2handh1975 Posts: 224 Member
    I'm 21 5'6 weight 164 and wear a size 8 (probably would wear a 6 but i have a big behind) I think i look pretty average with with maybe 5 extra lbs on me. so why does my bmi tell me im over weight? i dont even get "in danger of being over weight" just plain over weight. i dont have big boobs but i am very much so an hour glass figure and not very muscular.

    Because you are carrying 20-30 lbs of extra fat on you. That is why. Not to sound rude. But if you're happy with what you weigh, be happy. Its just a number.

    Really? You didn't mean to sound rude?
  • SuffolkSally
    SuffolkSally Posts: 964 Member
    I should think you are carrying quite a bit of fat in those curves, TBH. But BMI isn't much more than a general guide - maybe you'd do better to concentrate on toning and getting fit and healthy if you're more or less happy with yourself otherwise.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Focus on body fat not BMI as it does not take into account body composition.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Try calculating your body fat percentage. For myself, even if I lose a pound or two of lean mass, my goal body fat percentage will still put me at an overweight bmi - having around 132 pounds of fat free mass on a 5'7.5" frame will do that.
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    I'm 21 5'6 weight 164 and wear a size 8 (probably would wear a 6 but i have a big behind) I think i look pretty average with with maybe 5 extra lbs on me. so why does my bmi tell me im over weight? i dont even get "in danger of being over weight" just plain over weight. i dont have big boobs but i am very much so an hour glass figure and not very muscular.

    Because you are carrying 20-30 lbs of extra fat on you. That is why. Not to sound rude. But if you're happy with what you weigh, be happy. Its just a number.
    First of all, you ARE rude, whether you meant to sound that way or not.

    Second of all, if you knew how much such an offhand comment from a man hurts some women, you would not say such things. It is INCREDIBLY sh*tty of you to say.

    Third and most importantly, you are probably WRONG about her being overweight. The BMI calculators are too generic and do not fit all. You don't know this woman or her body and have no freaking right to say such a thing to her because YOU DO NOT KNOW.

    You need to watch what the hell you say to women here on this forum. Shame on you.
  • Jerodhold
    Jerodhold Posts: 87
    BMI is a joke, it only takes your height and weight into account, it doesn't messure fat weight or muscle weight or anything, you can have too guys that both weight say 200lbs and are the same height, but one guy is fat and the other guy is a bodybuilder, their bmi's will be the same but they look completly different, I don't use bmi, I don't pay much attention to the scale either, I like to use a mirror, as long as I like the way I look, I could care less about how much I weight
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Personally, I think the BMI is bull. There has been way too much emphasis on BMI, and not enough on overall health.

    People who understand health and fitness know that the BMI is only a rough measure, although the people who complain about being overweight or obese according to it usually are. People who are knowledgeable look at their weight, body fat percent, measurements, bone structure and other fitness indicators such resting heart rate, BP, etc.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I'm 21 5'6 weight 164 and wear a size 8 (probably would wear a 6 but i have a big behind) I think i look pretty average with with maybe 5 extra lbs on me. so why does my bmi tell me im over weight? i dont even get "in danger of being over weight" just plain over weight. i dont have big boobs but i am very much so an hour glass figure and not very muscular.

    Because you are carrying 20-30 lbs of extra fat on you. That is why. Not to sound rude. But if you're happy with what you weigh, be happy. Its just a number.

    I know it's insulting to have a random calculation call you "overweight" but it is what it is. You know you have weight to lose. It shouldn't matter if that weight bumps your over some "overweight" line. Just do what you need to do to be happy with your body and healthy.
  • Louise1247
    Louise1247 Posts: 670 Member
    im the same height and age as you yet im 148lbs- and a size 12-14 UK!! So its confused me. im in the healthy range, yet im bigger? BMI s a strange thing. :S
  • Louise1247
    Louise1247 Posts: 670 Member
    THIS IS IMPORTANT: also you say u have 5lbs to lose yet your Ticker says you have set it to 14 more pounds to lose... Your OP contradicts your settings saying u have "5lbs extra on you" or something along those lines!
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    I'm 21 5'6 weight 164 and wear a size 8 (probably would wear a 6 but i have a big behind) I think i look pretty average with with maybe 5 extra lbs on me. so why does my bmi tell me im over weight? i dont even get "in danger of being over weight" just plain over weight. i dont have big boobs but i am very much so an hour glass figure and not very muscular.

    Because you are carrying 20-30 lbs of extra fat on you. That is why. Not to sound rude. But if you're happy with what you weigh, be happy. Its just a number.
    First of all, you ARE rude, whether you meant to sound that way or not.


    No, he was straightforward. The denial has to end. Every day here someone complains about the BMI wrongly showing them to be overweight or obese. Unless you are a serious athlete with a great deal of muscle or have an exceptionally heavy skeletal frame the BMI is probably accurate. And at least don't complain about it if you don't even know your body fat percentage.

    A couple of weeks ago, there was a teenager who was hurt because her doctor told her that she was morbidly obese (she would have preferred to have been called "fat," go figure). Sorry, that's the term.

    It's as if some people want to spend more time angrily reacting to every imagined slight than educating themselves.
  • deborahkelleyfancy
    deborahkelleyfancy Posts: 4
    It's all about how you feel and how you feel about yourself. If your doctor says all your vitals are good, don't worry about it. :-)
  • pg3ibew
    pg3ibew Posts: 1,026 Member
    When I was 250 pounds I never thought I could get to, or look healthy at what the BMI calculator has for my height(5'10"). The calculator says I should weigh between 129 and 175. I am now 172 pounds and I am amazed and excited that I made it to the high end of the HEALTHY range.

    My point here is: I think the BMI calculator is pretty accurate. I always thought I had a LARGE frame and thought the calculator was BULL CRAP. You know what, it isn't BULL. With my thinking of having a large frame, I NOW fit right into where I belong, the high end of the healthy on the BMI

    I was a fat *kitten* for soooooo long, I thought I was SUPPOSED to look a certain way.

    Bottom line is: If you are happy, then don't worry about what some calculator says. If you are not happy, then work your *kitten* off to get into the HEALTHY range.
  • ironanimal
    ironanimal Posts: 5,922 Member
    BMI was conceived in the 1800s. Forget about it - my doctor has never used it in all the time I've been alive. It's very out of date.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Clothing sizes are irrelevant. It's well known that manufacturers have been increasing sizes to reflect the growing girth of the general population. They don't want to offend their customers, so the stated size is the same or even smaller, which is how we end up with ridiculous sizes like 00.

    People who really want to know how their weight is doing measure themselves and check their body fat percentage in addition to weighing themselves at regular intervals.
  • pg3ibew
    pg3ibew Posts: 1,026 Member
    I'm 21 5'6 weight 164 and wear a size 8 (probably would wear a 6 but i have a big behind) I think i look pretty average with with maybe 5 extra lbs on me. so why does my bmi tell me im over weight? i dont even get "in danger of being over weight" just plain over weight. i dont have big boobs but i am very much so an hour glass figure and not very muscular.

    Because you are carrying 20-30 lbs of extra fat on you. That is why. Not to sound rude. But if you're happy with what you weigh, be happy. Its just a number.
    First of all, you ARE rude, whether you meant to sound that way or not.


    No, he was straightforward. The denial has to end. Every day here someone complains about the BMI wrongly showing them to be overweight or obese. Unless you are a serious athlete with a great deal of muscle or have an exceptionally heavy skeletal frame the BMI is probably accurate. And at least don't complain about it if you don't even know your body fat percentage.

    A couple of weeks ago, there was a teenager who was hurt because her doctor told her that she was morbidly obese (she would have preferred to have been called "fat," go figure). Sorry, that's the term.

    It's as if some people want to spend more time angrily reacting to every imagined slight than educating themselves.

    Well Said. I am also tired of the excuses from everyone. One of my biggest peeves is people asking for advice and then getting angry when someone INSULTS them. Get over it children. If you ask a question, don't be suprised when you get an answer you didn't expect.
  • Healthydiner65
    Healthydiner65 Posts: 1,552 Member
    Agree! If you don't want the feedback then don't ask the question.Everyone has the right to their opinion and you don't have to agree.
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    you are missing something important here: She is HAPPY with her appearance and her weight and does not think she is overweight.
  • heatherloveslifting
    heatherloveslifting Posts: 1,428 Member
    Just wanted to point out that at 5'6" you could be a healthy BMI at 150 lbs, which is only 15 lbs, not 20-30. So if you do want to change your body, I would make your first goal something higher but still in the healthy range and then see how you feel. However if you feel healthy and happy and strong now just don't worry about it! ETA all bodies are different and not all of us are actually healthy at the low end of the BMI range (well, unless you consider not menstruating healthy- I don't).
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    I'm 21 5'6 weight 164 and wear a size 8 (probably would wear a 6 but i have a big behind) I think i look pretty average with with maybe 5 extra lbs on me. so why does my bmi tell me im over weight? i dont even get "in danger of being over weight" just plain over weight. i dont have big boobs but i am very much so an hour glass figure and not very muscular.

    Because you are carrying 20-30 lbs of extra fat on you. That is why. Not to sound rude. But if you're happy with what you weigh, be happy. Its just a number.
    First of all, you ARE rude, whether you meant to sound that way or not.


    No, he was straightforward. The denial has to end. Every day here someone complains about the BMI wrongly showing them to be overweight or obese. Unless you are a serious athlete with a great deal of muscle or have an exceptionally heavy skeletal frame the BMI is probably accurate. And at least don't complain about it if you don't even know your body fat percentage.

    A couple of weeks ago, there was a teenager who was hurt because her doctor told her that she was morbidly obese (she would have preferred to have been called "fat," go figure). Sorry, that's the term.

    It's as if some people want to spend more time angrily reacting to every imagined slight than educating themselves.

    This.
  • wild_wild_life
    wild_wild_life Posts: 1,334 Member
    I'm 21 5'6 weight 164 and wear a size 8 (probably would wear a 6 but i have a big behind) I think i look pretty average with with maybe 5 extra lbs on me. so why does my bmi tell me im over weight? i dont even get "in danger of being over weight" just plain over weight. i dont have big boobs but i am very much so an hour glass figure and not very muscular.

    Because you are carrying 20-30 lbs of extra fat on you. That is why. Not to sound rude. But if you're happy with what you weigh, be happy. Its just a number.

    Really? You didn't mean to sound rude?

    Is stating that someone is carrying around 20 extra pounds insulting? Why? Isn't it like saying they have blonde hair or wear glasses? It's not a judgement, it's stating a physical fact about someone.

    I understand that people are more sensitive about their weight than about their hair color because being overweight is seen as some kind of a personal failing, but it doesn't have to mean that, and I don't think it should mean that. This is one place where people should be able to talk about weight while checking ego and judgement at the door.
  • Glasgow_Vegan
    Glasgow_Vegan Posts: 209 Member

    Is stating that someone is carrying around 20 extra pounds insulting? Why? Isn't it like saying they have blonde hair or wear glasses? It's not a judgement, it's stating a physical fact about someone.

    I understand that people are more sensitive about their weight than about their hair color because being overweight is seen as some kind of a personal failing, but it doesn't have to mean that, and I don't think it should mean that. This is one place where people should be able to talk about weight while checking ego and judgement at the door.

    This.

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