BMI? Meh...

NotBonJovi

danimalkeys

according to the bmi chart, I should look like a bag of bones, because that's how I'd be if I were smack in the middle of the "normal" range for my height.

paxbfl

Ticks me off that some people - even health professionals - still use BMI. It's just a dumb number - not taking into account muscle mass or body fat %. Despite the fact that my body fat % is firmly in the "healthy" range and have more muscle mass than at any other time in my life, my BMI still tells me I'm "overweight".

NotBonJovi

I think the BMI chart is an archaic tool from the World War era. To make it fit to everyone is the biggest error.

NotBonJovi

B M I = Bull Manure Index

rosha267

I think it's pretty accurate. Obviously not for most athletes but for your average joe it's a great guideline

ChgingMe

according to the bmi chart, I should look like a bag of bones, because that's how I'd be if I were smack in the middle of the "normal" range for my height.

Yep me too

ChgingMe

I think it's pretty accurate. Obviously not for most athletes but for your average joe it's a great guideline

Sorry but I beg to differ. Ive posted about this many times. At 175ish and 5'3 my BMI has me at obese. I am having a hard time getting more life insurance at a reasonable rate because they see me as obese. I'm in a size 10 or 12 depending. Even when I get to my goal of a size 8 I will be in the high level of overweight. I'm currently on day 9 of Insanity. Take it for what its worth but I'm far from obese

NotBonJovi

Insurance companies need any excuse to charge you more. No wonder they champion this age-old BMI.

Both Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe are termed as overweight or obese by this chart. (Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2006/nov/28/healthandwellbeing.health1)

The BMI tool needs a serious rethink.

HotrodsGirl0107

For the general public I think it is a good guide. IMO there are too many people who now claim that the BMI charts "don't apply to them" which I think is just a form of denial. I can understand that for some it isn't as good of a guide due to muscle mass but honestly the average everyday person wouldn't have to worry about this. Of course this is MY opinion and yes I know some will disagree but the great thing is it really doesn't matter.

paxbfl

I wonder if it's more accurate for women than men, since men typically have more muscle mass.

I'm 6'2", 206 pounds with 15% body fat. My BMI is 26.4 - overweight.

In order for my BMI to be in the healthy range, I'd have to weigh 194. So I'd need to lose another 12 pounds. If I lost another 12 pounds of fat, I'd have 9% body fat.

Is it really necessary for me to go single digit body fat in order to have a healthy BMI? And keep in mind, that's just to creep into the "healthy" BMI range with a 24.9. Crazy!

stines72

according to the BMI chart i am dangerously underweight LOL.

rosha267

For the general public I think it is a good guide. IMO there are too many people who now claim that the BMI charts "don't apply to them" which I think is just a form of denial. I can understand that for some it isn't as good of a guide due to muscle mass but honestly the average everyday person wouldn't have to worry about this. Of course this is MY opinion and yes I know some will disagree but the great thing is it really doesn't matter.

I couldn't agree more!

lvtruu1

I wonder if it's more accurate for women than men, since men typically have more muscle mass.

I'm 6'2", 206 pounds with 15% body fat. My BMI is 26.4 - overweight.

In order for my BMI to be in the healthy range, I'd have to weigh 194. So I'd need to lose another 12 pounds. If I lost another 12 pounds of fat, I'd have 9% body fat.

Is it really necessary for me to go single digit body fat in order to have a healthy BMI? And keep in mind, that's just to creep into the "healthy" BMI range with a 24.9. Crazy!

So, you got pictures of your ripped abs? I'd like to see it.

My point being is how do you know that you have 15% BF? I assume you have a 32" waist at your belly button? That you have 15 or 16 inch arms? Fit to Fat website says I'm at 15.5% BF. My hand held device, set on normal, says less than 11%. I'm 6'4" 180ish.

BMI isn't perfect, but used for a wide range of the population it works fairly well. Each individual may not fit into the model. It doesn't mean it doesn't work over a population. Not that you aren't right and that it doesn't apply to you as an individual, but the fact is most people grossly overestimate their LBM. Every way you test BF%, even the best ones, like Dexascan can be off 5%.

dlcarroll13

Unfortunately for 5'3" you ARE obese at 175. I'm 5'9 and 180 and still considerably overweight...despite the muscles mass which there is alot of. Take a good hard honest look at your body and you'll see plenty of areas to trim off the weight and get to a healthier level.

ChgingMe

For the general public I think it is a good guide. IMO there are too many people who now claim that the BMI charts "don't apply to them" which I think is just a form of denial. I can understand that for some it isn't as good of a guide due to muscle mass but honestly the average everyday person wouldn't have to worry about this. Of course this is MY opinion and yes I know some will disagree but the great thing is it really doesn't matter.

I disagree.Sorry but this is a touchy subject for me. I at 175 at 5'3 look 20 pounds thinnner than my coworker who at 148 at 5'2 is in the overweight catagory of bmi. Or the friend I have who is in the healthy range bmi and is skinny fat with not an ounce of lean muscle on her frame.

ChgingMe

I wonder if it's more accurate for women than men, since men typically have more muscle mass.

I'm 6'2", 206 pounds with 15% body fat. My BMI is 26.4 - overweight.

In order for my BMI to be in the healthy range, I'd have to weigh 194. So I'd need to lose another 12 pounds. If I lost another 12 pounds of fat, I'd have 9% body fat.

Is it really necessary for me to go single digit body fat in order to have a healthy BMI? And keep in mind, that's just to creep into the "healthy" BMI range with a 24.9. Crazy!

Im a woman and if I got to the recommend weight for my height according to my bmi. I would need to lose about 30 pounds. I am now in a size 10 or 12 depening more like an 11 if I had to pin it down. a 30 pound weight lose would have me a zero

ChgingMe

Unfortunately for 5'3" you ARE obese at 175. I'm 5'9 and 180 and still considerably overweight...despite the muscles mass which there is alot of. Take a good hard honest look at your body and you'll see plenty of areas to trim off the weight and get to a healthier level.

Yes I agree. the main one being my belly. but to look at me I am not obese. I am overweight. I am tryng to get to a size 8

ChgingMe

Unfortunately for 5'3" you ARE obese at 175. I'm 5'9 and 180 and still considerably overweight...despite the muscles mass which there is alot of. Take a good hard honest look at your body and you'll see plenty of areas to trim off the weight and get to a healthier level.

Yes I agree. the main one being my belly. but to look at me I am not obese. I am overweight. I am tryng to get to a size 8

All Im saying is Im not obese. Ill admit that Im overweight. thats why im here. LOL

dlcarroll13

That makes sense, and I meant absolutely no offense by saying that. The distinction between overweight, obese, and morbidly obese is perhaps where the problem comes. Most important is recognizing when your not at a healthy level and striving to get there...no matter where your healthy falls. Just by being here you've started down the right path!