Do BMI's seem unrealistic to anyone else?

AllonsYtotheTardis

no offense, but being 189 pds at 6 foot 1 is a little bit small. my husband is 6 foot 1 and he is a little overweight but still in good shape. He does hard manual labor for a job 5-6 days a week. he looks his best at about 210-215. just my opinon

My 6'1" husband is about 185 and looks overweight. It's a question of LBM

llkilgore

I would have to get down to 140 lbs to have a mid range BMI, that is just not realistic. I would be comfortable at 160-170 but that still puts me at overweight BMI. Are BMI a realistic measuring tool for most people?

I wouldn't feel comfortable at a mid range BMI either. I didn't get a strong enough dose of ectomorph genes to look good at the lowest "healthy" weight for my height, but I do look and feel best at a weight close to that end. My build is willowy enough to look chubby at mid range and fat, fat, FAT at the top of the range. BMI is intended to describe populations, not individuals, but like most individuals I'm under the bell curve so to speak. Not everyone is, but that's statistics for you.

CoachReddy

no offense, but being 189 pds at 6 foot 1 is a little bit small. my husband is 6 foot 1 and he is a little overweight but still in good shape. He does hard manual labor for a job 5-6 days a week. he looks his best at about 210-215. just my opinon

exactly. it's your opinion of his outward appearance based on what you find attractive. all subjective.

none of that has anything to do with his actual HEALTH and/or risk factors. just because someone looks attractive to you doesn't mean they're healthy, and just because someone looks underweight or unattractive to you doesn't mean they're not healthy. ya know?

dimsumkitty

I am overweight. I am not obese. I would even go so far as to say high end overweight. I am in not in denial. Maybe my perception of obese and what others think is skewed. To me obese is a person whose weight is affecting their life. ex- can't ride the roller coaster, has to buy 2 seats on an airplane. Gets winded going up stairs. In other words, their weight has become a hinderance to their lives.. Is that the disconnect here. Is my perception of obese different than what it really is? I truly can't wrap my head around me being obese and when I tell people i'm obese they laugh at me. So its not just me saying it, others are as well.

Well technically the "definition" of obesity is BMI over 30. But usually it just means it has a severe health impact. "Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems." according to Wikipedia. So yeah, that isn't really what you think it is.

xxXcaraXxx

my bmi is totally unrealistic but im very big boobed at size ten I weigh aroundbthe 11st mark xxx

newdaydawning79

When I weighed in the range of my BMI in my college years, I got an intervention from my friends b/c they were concerned about my weight--I was too thin. I am tall with a large frame. For me, it's not realistic.

Agree whole-heartedly. My doctors have told me that I should get somewhere between 175-185 as a healthy weight for my frame/LBM. That puts me in the overweight category for BMI. So yeah...not accurate for everyone by a long shot.

Bridget0927

no offense, but being 189 pds at 6 foot 1 is a little bit small. my husband is 6 foot 1 and he is a little overweight but still in good shape. He does hard manual labor for a job 5-6 days a week. he looks his best at about 210-215. just my opinon

exactly. it's your opinion of his outward appearance based on what you find attractive. all subjective.

none of that has anything to do with his actual HEALTH and/or risk factors. just because someone looks attractive to you doesn't mean they're healthy, and just because someone looks underweight or unattractive to you doesn't mean they're not healthy. ya know?

Good work Coach Reddy!

bfpower

I do healthcare statistics and I can tell you that BMI is definitely unreliable. It works to some degree for most people and can be a reasonable indicator of whether or not a person is overweight. However, being under 25 (for a guy) is not a realistic indicator that a person is at a healthy weight.

The reason we use BMI is that body fat % (the best indicator of a healthy weight) is very expensive to do correctly. The standard methods of measuring BFP are less accurate than BMI. Displacement BFP (the kind that is almost always done at a university) is the most accurate method. At any rate, that's why BMI gets used instead.

singingflutelady

For me, I think I look bigger than my BMI. I'm 5'8 BMI 19.5 which is 7 lbs higher than being "underweight" but I think I look like BMI 22sh. I guess I'm skinny fat. What does your BF% have to be to be considered skinnyfat? Mine is 18.5 % which isn't horrible for a 37 year od woman but still higher than the ideal

supermodelchic

I do not go by BMI as I have muscle and that does not take that into account, I only go by bodyfat...

CristinaL1983

I am overweight. I am not obese. I would even go so far as to say high end overweight. I am in not in denial. Maybe my perception of obese and what others think is skewed. To me obese is a person whose weight is affecting their life. ex- can't ride the roller coaster, has to buy 2 seats on an airplane. Gets winded going up stairs. In other words, their weight has become a hinderance to their lives.. Is that the disconnect here. Is my perception of obese different than what it really is? I truly can't wrap my head around me being obese and when I tell people i'm obese they laugh at me. So its not just me saying it, others are as well.

Well technically the "definition" of obesity is BMI over 30. But usually it just means it has a severe health impact. "Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems." according to Wikipedia. So yeah, that isn't really what you think it is.

I would add that a body fat measurement of over 32% (if you can get a reliable measurement) is also considered obese. Even when I was on the borderline of obesity, my waist measurement wasn't over 32"

I think Morbid Obesity is usually where people start to need two seats/ have trouble on rollercoasters, etc...

kopoba11

Try using this calculator from web MD, they ask for more data to calculate appropriate BMW

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

mountaingirl1961

^^^^^ Just added them.

so you'd have to be 189 lb to be considered in the "healthy" range.

honestly i know that sounds ridiculous... but i bet that 50 years ago before the age of hyper-awareness of body image (ie: super muscular and built for men) a majority of men fell into that range even at your height.

part of me wonders if our perception as a people and as a country have just shifted over time..

I read about the people of Okinawa recently, who have one of the longest lifespans in the world - with many people living to 100 and beyond. the common denominator is that they're active and thin. Not "built", not what we in the west consider "in great shape", but trim and thin, while still athletic (martial arts)

just something to ponder i guess...

A friend of mine from Nepal tells me that the most striking thing about visiting this country is the size of the people. Even the "fit" ones here are huge compared to Nepalese, and the absolute largest person you'll see walking around in Kathmandu is about the size of a pretty average American.

I'd agree - our perception of what is acceptable has shifted, significantly, and to large extent not for the better.

ChgingMe

I am overweight. I am not obese. I would even go so far as to say high end overweight. I am in not in denial. Maybe my perception of obese and what others think is skewed. To me obese is a person whose weight is affecting their life. ex- can't ride the roller coaster, has to buy 2 seats on an airplane. Gets winded going up stairs. In other words, their weight has become a hinderance to their lives.. Is that the disconnect here. Is my perception of obese different than what it really is? I truly can't wrap my head around me being obese and when I tell people i'm obese they laugh at me. So its not just me saying it, others are as well.

Well technically the "definition" of obesity is BMI over 30. But usually it just means it has a severe health impact. "Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems." according to Wikipedia. So yeah, that isn't really what you think it is.

Got complete blood work last year. Passed everything with flying colors. So I'm guessing my 'obesity' isn't effecting my health. Still can't wrap my head around being obese. Overweight Yes.

tessaeve

Here are the facts. I am currently in recovery week of Insantiy. For those not familar that is the week just before month 2. I currently wear a size 12 and even those are becoming very loose on me. Got some belly fat going on that I'm trying to get rid of thru the program. Measured the waist yesterday and it was 34 inches. Not happy with it, but definitley not the waist of an obese woman.

I'm sorry, but this kind of comment is why we shouldn't say that BMI doesn't work. 34 inches is basically the waist of an an obese person. According to the NHS, "You have a higher risk of health problems if your waist size is more than 80cm (31.5 inches), if you’re a woman." "Your risk of health problems is even higher if your waist size is more than 88cm (34.5 inches), if you’re a woman." See: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/849.aspx?CategoryID=51

And no, abs don't make your waist that much bigger. If your waist is >31 inches, you're probably overweight. If your waist is >34 inches, you're probably obese. For most people, that will match up with the BMI ranges.

So why is my waist 30 inches but my body fat is 35% so I'm really overweight?

I have a healthy BMI, my waist is 34". I wear a size 4/6 and will never have a <31 inch waist. I am just not built that way. The space between my rib cage and hip is about 1/2". You cannot cookie cutter BMI or waist measurements for everyone. There are always exceptions.

bcattoes

A friend of mine from Nepal tells me that the most striking thing about visiting this country is the size of the people. Even the "fit" ones here are huge compared to Nepalese, and the absolute largest person you'll see walking around in Kathmandu is about the size of a pretty average American.

A friend of mine in the military brought his new Vietnamese wife home to the US for the first time and she had a similar reaction. "Everyone is so big here" and she was flabbergasted by portions sizes when we ate out.

concordancia

I have a healthy BMI, my waist is 34". I wear a size 4/6 and will never have a <31 inch waist. I am just not built that way. The space between my rib cage and hip is about 1/2". You cannot cookie cutter BMI or waist measurements for everyone. There are always exceptions.

Ahhh, I thought I was the only one whose rib cage practically rests on the hip bones!

ChgingMe

I am overweight. I am not obese. I would even go so far as to say high end overweight. I am in not in denial. Maybe my perception of obese and what others think is skewed. To me obese is a person whose weight is affecting their life. ex- can't ride the roller coaster, has to buy 2 seats on an airplane. Gets winded going up stairs. In other words, their weight has become a hinderance to their lives.. Is that the disconnect here. Is my perception of obese different than what it really is? I truly can't wrap my head around me being obese and when I tell people i'm obese they laugh at me. So its not just me saying it, others are as well.

Well technically the "definition" of obesity is BMI over 30. But usually it just means it has a severe health impact. "Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems." according to Wikipedia. So yeah, that isn't really what you think it is.

Got complete blood work last year. Passed everything with flying colors. So I'm guessing my 'obesity' isn't effecting my health. Still can't wrap my head around being obese. Overweight Yes.

Its funny(strange). I have a friend who is at the lower range of overweight.. Would only need to lose about 10 pounds to get to the normal level and she looks about 20 pounds heavier than I do. On paper she is fine. Just a tad overweight. She does not exercise. Go figure. So I guess my perception of what is obese is wrong. How do I explain the size 12 i currently wear that is slowly becoming too large. I feel like i need therapy now. :sad:

twelfty

imo the upper bmi number is the one to aim for a healthy looking weight... toned

HotSouthernMess

according to my BMI-i should weigh between 98 and 115 pounds. anything about that is overweight and i think 140 is considered morbidly obese. I am only 4'11 but i have a big chest and think that at 98 pounds i would look very sick...not to mention the fact that i am still young and would probably get mistaken for my daughter if i was that tiny. i think if i am healthy and feel/look good than i dont care what the charts say.

bcattoes

Here are the facts. I am currently in recovery week of Insantiy. For those not familar that is the week just before month 2. I currently wear a size 12 and even those are becoming very loose on me. Got some belly fat going on that I'm trying to get rid of thru the program. Measured the waist yesterday and it was 34 inches. Not happy with it, but definitley not the waist of an obese woman.

I'm sorry, but this kind of comment is why we shouldn't say that BMI doesn't work. 34 inches is basically the waist of an an obese person. According to the NHS, "You have a higher risk of health problems if your waist size is more than 80cm (31.5 inches), if you’re a woman." "Your risk of health problems is even higher if your waist size is more than 88cm (34.5 inches), if you’re a woman." See: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/849.aspx?CategoryID=51

And no, abs don't make your waist that much bigger. If your waist is >31 inches, you're probably overweight. If your waist is >34 inches, you're probably obese. For most people, that will match up with the BMI ranges.

So why is my waist 30 inches but my body fat is 35% so I'm really overweight?

"overweight" is just that, you weigh too much based on population statistics. It is possible to weigh too much and not have too much body fat. It is also possible not to weigh too much but have too much body fat.

CristinaL1983

I am overweight. I am not obese. I would even go so far as to say high end overweight. I am in not in denial. Maybe my perception of obese and what others think is skewed. To me obese is a person whose weight is affecting their life. ex- can't ride the roller coaster, has to buy 2 seats on an airplane. Gets winded going up stairs. In other words, their weight has become a hinderance to their lives.. Is that the disconnect here. Is my perception of obese different than what it really is? I truly can't wrap my head around me being obese and when I tell people i'm obese they laugh at me. So its not just me saying it, others are as well.

Well technically the "definition" of obesity is BMI over 30. But usually it just means it has a severe health impact. "Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems." according to Wikipedia. So yeah, that isn't really what you think it is.

Got complete blood work last year. Passed everything with flying colors. So I'm guessing my 'obesity' isn't effecting my health. Still can't wrap my head around being obese. Overweight Yes.

Its funny(strange). I have a friend who is at the lower range of overweight.. Would only need to lose about 10 pounds to get to the normal level and she looks about 20 pounds heavier than I do. On paper she is fine. Just a tad overweight. She does not exercise. Go figure. So I guess my perception of what is obese is wrong. How do I explain the size 12 i currently wear that is slowly becoming too large. I feel like i need therapy now. :sad:

Clothing size isn't a good indicator of health or even weight. I wear anything from an 8-12 depending on the brand and fit and am overweight (edit 2 lbs over healthy BMI, 12 lbs over goal). When I was wearing a 12-16, I was bordering on obese.

thistimesucess

I am 5 foot 3 inches and it says I should weigh 111-148. My goal weight is 150. I look good at this weight. I would look nasty at 111! But its the way I am built. I have larger hips, thighs and butt. When I am 150 people always think I weigh less than that. In my opinon its not all about the numbers. Its how you look and feel

This is exactly what I think. I've tried really hard and never got below the top of my BMI. Also when I am at the top people comment that I look too skinny, I've spent years feeling awful about my weight because I'm not that magic figure - but now I realise how good I actually look at the top range weight, it's different for everyone.

cubbies77

BMI doesn't figure in cup size either. I read that a woman with D or DD breasts is carrying an extra 8-10 pounds of weight. Since you can't lose weight from your breasts (once they're down to their natural size, of course), worrying about those extra few pounds isn't worth it. The only way to lose that weight would be a surgical reduction. Nobody can blame you for being heavier in the chest.

Unknown

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CristinaL1983

BMI doesn't figure in cup size either. I read that a woman with D or DD breasts is carrying an extra 8-10 pounds of weight. Since you can't lose weight from your breasts (once they're down to their natural size, of course), worrying about those extra few pounds isn't worth it. The only way to lose that weight would be a surgical reduction. Nobody can blame you for being heavier in the chest.

It's actually 1 lb per cup (total) So if you wear a D that's 4 extra lbs (1/2 lb per breast/cup size).

LiftAllThePizzas

I would have to get down to 140 lbs to have a mid range BMI, that is just not realistic. I would be comfortable at 160-170 but that still puts me at overweight BMI. Are BMI a realistic measuring tool for most people?

Some people are comfortable smoking two packs a day or drinking 24 cans of beer a day. That doesn't make it healthy.

AmyW125

My BMI puts me as over weight too. Drives me crazy!!! My Dr. believes in the BMI charts!! Tells me every visit I need to lose at least 20 more pounds...:noway:

aliciaje

Here I am in a size 6 dress at Banana Republic, 5'4 BMI 29.3. Yes I still am trying to lose weight (why else would I be here) but for me, BMI is NOT realistic. I am aiming for a BMI of 25-26.

ryry_

From US department of Health and Human servieces National Institute of health concerning the limitations of BMI.

Although BMI can be used for most men and women, it does have some limits:
•It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
•It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle.