Do BMI's seem unrealistic to anyone else?

chadgard

BMI is statistically a good indicator of future health risks, but as with many statistical indicators, it doesn't work for everyone. If you're statistically average otherwise, it will work, but if you're outside of the norm, it may not.

I'm obese, or at least overweight. But not as much as BMI says. My lean body mass alone would have a BMI of 28.5: if I had 0% body fat, I'd be at the top end of overweight according to BMI!

Body fat percentage is a much more reliable indicator of healthy body composition, though it is harder to measure...

CoachReddy

The poster who is having a hard time being obese based on dress size, perceived physical ability etc is not a special snowflake. At your weight and measurements you are obese. We aren't much different in age or height and if I wore a size 12 I would be obese. It is what it is. Your perception of not wanting that label doesn't make it so.

I do get beat up on these forumns and told that Im in denial every time I post about bmi. Again I say to look at me obese no. I am currently doing insanity and trying to get to where I feel comfortable in my clothes. I've come a long way in this month and am proud of my accomplishments. But I can gurantee you that if you saw me walking down the street you would not consider me obese based on the way I look. I may be wrong but don't obese people look obese?

Thats subjective based on where you live and what you're used to seeing...

Oh okay. Guess that makes sense. I have a few friends who i thought were obese based on what I was used to. So all that tells me is they are morbidly obese and I am just obese. Still can't wrap my head around it. I need to come to terms with this. I have areas that definitley need work. That is why im working my butt off with Insanity. But this whole obese thing has me feeling some kind of way. One of the main reasons is because even when I get to my goal I will still be at the high end of overweight. I am taking it week by week and seeing how my body is responding to the work outs. So far so good. My goal is to get to about 160 pounds or a size 8. but even that would have me at almost obese. Whats a girl to do???

Forget about what you're going to do when you're 160 and worry about what you're doing now and the great strides you're taking to become the best possible version of yourself! That's what! Get out of your head and ignore all this crap for now and keep doing what youre doing.

You may come to find when you reach 160 that you're happy with that, you may decide to keep on going. But save all that drama for down the road when you get there.

dimsumkitty

Oh okay. Guess that makes sense. I have a few friends who i thought were obese based on what I was used to. So all that tells me is they are morbidly obese and I am just obese. Still can't wrap my head around it. I need to come to terms with this. I have areas that definitley need work. That is why im working my butt off with Insanity. But this whole obese thing has me feeling some kind of way. One of the main reasons is because even when I get to my goal I will still be at the high end of overweight. I am taking it week by week and seeing how my body is responding to the work outs. So far so good. My goal is to get to about 160 pounds or a size 8. but even that would have me at almost obese. Whats a girl to do???

But you already knew that you'd be healthier if you lost weight, that's why you're here right? The ideal range is based on the weight where, statistically, if you lost any more weight it would no longer be good for your health. If we're over that range, that means losing weight is probably going to be good for our health.

So we work that weight off, because then we end up more healthy. Even if we don't get to the ultimate goal, where we can't get any healthier just by changing our weight, we're still getting more healthy!

ChgingMe

The poster who is having a hard time being obese based on dress size, perceived physical ability etc is not a special snowflake. At your weight and measurements you are obese. We aren't much different in age or height and if I wore a size 12 I would be obese. It is what it is. Your perception of not wanting that label doesn't make it so.

I do get beat up on these forumns and told that Im in denial every time I post about bmi. Again I say to look at me obese no. I am currently doing insanity and trying to get to where I feel comfortable in my clothes. I've come a long way in this month and am proud of my accomplishments. But I can gurantee you that if you saw me walking down the street you would not consider me obese based on the way I look. I may be wrong but don't obese people look obese?

Thats subjective based on where you live and what you're used to seeing...

Oh okay. Guess that makes sense. I have a few friends who i thought were obese based on what I was used to. So all that tells me is they are morbidly obese and I am just obese. Still can't wrap my head around it. I need to come to terms with this. I have areas that definitley need work. That is why im working my butt off with Insanity. But this whole obese thing has me feeling some kind of way. One of the main reasons is because even when I get to my goal I will still be at the high end of overweight. I am taking it week by week and seeing how my body is responding to the work outs. So far so good. My goal is to get to about 160 pounds or a size 8. but even that would have me at almost obese. Whats a girl to do???

Forget about what you're going to do when you're 160 and worry about what you're doing now and the great strides you're taking to become the best possible version of yourself! That's what! Get out of your head and ignore all this crap for now and keep doing what youre doing.

You may come to find when you reach 160 that you're happy with that, you may decide to keep on going. But save all that drama for down the road when you get there.

Yes I will because all of this is making me nuts. Thanx for the advice...

shortstuff17

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

me too!! rock those curves!

davypr86

I don´t know. I´m a male, 27 years old and measure 5´8. According to the BMI, I´m supposed to be between 121 and 164.

I find that weird. Many people say that I have a large frame, so it must be higher.

I found some sites that include frame. But that only pushed it to 172.

I readjusted my goal from 185 to 175 because of that. I will just wait and see how I feel at that weight.

Mimoki

my bmi, though I did it online so I shouldn't trust, it says I'm obese. I naturally have a bigger build so maybe that is your case as well? I think if you get your bf measured with a caliper or at a doctor's office or something, that would me more accurate.

CoachReddy

How many obese people actually have a "bigger build" and how many just think they do because they've always been overweight? I ask because im seeing a trend...

anjanetteP

I agree with you. If I were in my BMI I would look sick. My goal is to lose 25lbs. But many folks think that's to much. i just want to be healthier.

DancingDreams1234

When I was twelve I began to get worried about my weight, and I calculated my BMI. It said I was overweight. I wasn't at all but it led me into me not wanting to leave the house to play with my friends, it was a nasty phase. The BMI calculator ONLY takes into account your weight and your hight. Really the best way to know if you are at a healthy weight is going to the doctor.

LeenaRuns

How many obese people actually have a "bigger build" and how many just think they do because they've always been overweight? I ask because im seeing a trend...

I agree. I think saying that one would look "unhealthy" at a "normal" BMI is a cop out to stay overweight and feel better about it. FTR: I'm 5'6" and 119 lbs. Low end of BMI.

heathermnrd

How many obese people actually have a "bigger build" and how many just think they do because they've always been overweight? I ask because im seeing a trend...

I agree. I think saying that one would look "unhealthy" at a "normal" BMI is a cop out to stay overweight and feel better about it. FTR: I'm 5'6" and 119 lbs. Low end of BMI.

agree. how can someone say they would look unhealthy at a weight theyve never seen themselves? or at a weight they havent seen in decades...bodies do change.

im 5'2" and 146 lbs which makes me 10 lbs overweight...and i am overweight thats why im here trying to lose about 20 lbs.

willdob3

IMO, BMI is pretty much useless. It does not consider body composition.

Since we are all different there will be a certain percentage of people it works for. But there will be many who have higher BMIs because of a healthy amount of LBM. There will also be many who have low, healthy range BMIs who are skinny fat with very little LBM.

According to a BMI calculator the healthy weight range for me is 101 - 141. My LBM is currently in the middle of that range & I plan to add more. I really don't want to ever weigh in anywhere in that range because it is unrealistic if I am actually going to be as healthy & fit as I plan to get.

kcaffee1

For some, BMI is completely unrealistic. I am one of those individuals. When I get to around my goal weight, I actually look like I'm in the low to mid 100's but actually weigh in in the mid 200's. This is because of the VERY large bone frame, and dense bone structure. I also tend to have very dense muscles when I'm anywhere close to "in shape", but if I take the measurements for the hip-to-waist ratio along with my actual weight, I always come out well into the mid range, if not top end of over weight. I dread to think what I would look like if I were to actually get down to the "recommended" BMI weight of 160! I, personally, do not think that the anorexic look is a good look for me.

CoachReddy

For some, BMI is completely unrealistic. I am one of those individuals. When I get to around my goal weight, I actually look like I'm in the low to mid 100's but actually weigh in in the mid 200's. This is because of the VERY large bone frame, and dense bone structure. I also tend to have very dense muscles when I'm anywhere close to "in shape", but if I take the measurements for the hip-to-waist ratio along with my actual weight, I always come out well into the mid range, if not top end of over weight. I dread to think what I would look like if I were to actually get down to the "recommended" BMI weight of 160! I, personally, do not think that the anorexic look is a good look for me.

Every one of these posts is identical. Its pretty indicative of our culture... the self-delusion is incredible.

csuhar

the BMI scale hasn't changed since it was designed in the 1850s... we have.

Just because it has remained largely unchanged for so long doesn’t mean it’s prudent to leave it that way or to use it in the same manner. There has been a lot of progress, some of it recent, since the 1850s that have changed how we approach public and individual health. Heat sterilization of surgical instruments and using sterile gowns, caps, masks, and rubber gloves in surgery all came after the 1850s. Louis Pasteur’s work and many vaccinations that have taken the average life expectancy of newborns from their late-30s in 1850 and sent it up into their mid-80s in 2000 (http://mappinghistory.uoregon.edu/english/US/US39-01.html) post-dated the creation of the BMI. Relatively recently, battlefield medicine was revolutionized by abandoning the “use a tourniquet as a last result, because it might cause tissue damage” mindset and replacing it with one that says “feel free to use tourniquets because the damage isn’t as bad as we once thought and it’s still preferable for an individual to lose a limb in order to save his life”. We simply have to remain open to the idea that we may now possess a better idea of the health and care of populations than Mr. Quetelet had.


For the OP:
First, I must ask what you mean by “realistic”. If you’re talking about if it’s attainable, then the answer will largely be “yes”. If you mean that it’s a reliable indicator of your health, the answer becomes more of a “maybe, maybe not” issue.


The only time I’ve been in a “normal” BMI range was when I was going through chemotherapy, and I will tell everyone right here right-freaking-now that I, personally, was NOT healthy. When you don’t have the strength to stand unassisted and you can’t walk or shuffle for a few meters without feeling fatigued, you are NOT healthy. And I only barely made it into that “normal” range. But, on the other hand, my mother is in the “normal” range and doing fine. Not only that, but between daily walks and lap swimming three days a week, she’s even fairly active.


The big issue is the reason why you’re using the BMI.


According to the CDC in reference to individuals using the BMI (not populations) (http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html):
The BMI is “a fairly reliable indicator of body fatness for most people”. They go on to say that it can correlate to direct measures of body fat and can be considered an alternative for these measures, especially because it is an easy screening method to perform.

But they also say that “BMI is not a diagnostic tool. For example, a person may have a high BMI. However, to determine if excess weight is a health risk, a healthcare provider would need to perform further assessments. These assessments might include skinfold thickness measurements, evaluations of diet, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health screenings.”


So the BMI is really best used as a quick, easy, screening tool. It can give you a general idea about your body and you don’t need any training except how to use a calculator. But it is far from being the be-all and end-all as far as health is concerned. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to take your BMI (regardless of what it is), go to a doctor, and say “My BMI is X. How does that compare to my actual situation as far as health and health risk, and where do I go from here?”.


Don’t just sit back and say “BMI is silly, so I’ll ignore it”. Even if only “fairly reliable” for “most people”, it is still a usable, if rough, screening tool. If someone has a high BMI, they should make sure they’re talking to their doctors and not simply shrugging it off as a muscle or physical build issue. The doctor will be the one with the tools to say what that individual’s weight comes from.

Conversely, people also shouldn’t say “My BMI says I’m fine, so I don’t need to worry”. Just because you’re not heavy doesn’t mean there isn’t something wrong. My grandfather was given a clean bill of health only days before dropping dead. There was no problem with his weight, but the plaque buildup in his arteries caused a heart attack that killed him in his sleep. Recently, there was a study that said “overweight” people (I don’t know if this was judged on BMI or some other factor) seemed to live longer than “normal” people. Some jumped the gun and assumed that it must mean it’s physically better to be overweight. I tend to agree with the counter argument that the cause may be people in a “normal” range may not feel as compelled to go to the doctor for checkups like “overweight” individuals.

PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot

BMI measurement came out in the 1800s. I think science has come a way regarding human phisiology since then, it's amazing to me that BMI has somehow remained a standard.

drchimpanzee

Who the hell wants to live their entire life trying to fit a bunch of numbers? Eat mostly health a lot of the time, exercise a good amount, but don't miss out on a few beers and a good burger every once in awhile just because you're worried about being "normal."

ChgingMe

How many obese people actually have a "bigger build" and how many just think they do because they've always been overweight? I ask because im seeing a trend...

I agree. I think saying that one would look "unhealthy" at a "normal" BMI is a cop out to stay overweight and feel better about it. FTR: I'm 5'6" and 119 lbs. Low end of BMI.

agree. how can someone say they would look unhealthy at a weight theyve never seen themselves? or at a weight they havent seen in decades...bodies do change.

im 5'2" and 146 lbs which makes me 10 lbs overweight...and i am overweight thats why im here trying to lose about 20 lbs.

I can. If I lost 40 pounds to get to my acceptable bmi I would look horrible.

CoachReddy

BMI measurement came out in the 1800s. I think science has come a way regarding human phisiology since then, it's amazing to me that BMI has somehow remained a standard.

We, however, have not evolved since then. It's remained standard because its a good metric to apply to overall populations.

CoachReddy

How many obese people actually have a "bigger build" and how many just think they do because they've always been overweight? I ask because im seeing a trend...

I agree. I think saying that one would look "unhealthy" at a "normal" BMI is a cop out to stay overweight and feel better about it. FTR: I'm 5'6" and 119 lbs. Low end of BMI.

agree. how can someone say they would look unhealthy at a weight theyve never seen themselves? or at a weight they havent seen in decades...bodies do change.

im 5'2" and 146 lbs which makes me 10 lbs overweight...and i am overweight thats why im here trying to lose about 20 lbs.

I can. If I lost 40 pounds to get to my acceptable bmi I would look horrible.

According to who, and based on what?

tarac98

I TOTALLY hate when a doctor looks at a chart and says "your ideal weight is 110-130" that seems so generic to me!

heathermnrd

How many obese people actually have a "bigger build" and how many just think they do because they've always been overweight? I ask because im seeing a trend...

I agree. I think saying that one would look "unhealthy" at a "normal" BMI is a cop out to stay overweight and feel better about it. FTR: I'm 5'6" and 119 lbs. Low end of BMI.

agree. how can someone say they would look unhealthy at a weight theyve never seen themselves? or at a weight they havent seen in decades...bodies do change.

im 5'2" and 146 lbs which makes me 10 lbs overweight...and i am overweight thats why im here trying to lose about 20 lbs.

I can. If I lost 40 pounds to get to my acceptable bmi I would look horrible.

how can you say that without seeing it? a good healthy, toned you at a healthy BMI not skinny pasty pale i didnt eat for a month to get here looking but healthy looking...how can you say that wouldnt look good without seeing it?

ChgingMe

For some, BMI is completely unrealistic. I am one of those individuals. When I get to around my goal weight, I actually look like I'm in the low to mid 100's but actually weigh in in the mid 200's. This is because of the VERY large bone frame, and dense bone structure. I also tend to have very dense muscles when I'm anywhere close to "in shape", but if I take the measurements for the hip-to-waist ratio along with my actual weight, I always come out well into the mid range, if not top end of over weight. I dread to think what I would look like if I were to actually get down to the "recommended" BMI weight of 160! I, personally, do not think that the anorexic look is a good look for me.

Every one of these posts is identical. Its pretty indicative of our culture... the self-delusion is incredible.

Aww. Not everyone is delusional. Really. I had been feeling some kind of way about this like I said. Just had a talk with 4 of my coworkers. One being the most brutally honest person on the planet, with no filter. (we have a love hate relationship. lol) all agree I in no way look obese. Ms. Brutallity told me aside from my pudgey middle I barely look overweight.LMBO.. I love her.

mrphil86

BMI measurement came out in the 1800s. I think science has come a way regarding human phisiology since then, it's amazing to me that BMI has somehow remained a standard.

We, however, have not evolved since then. It's remained standard because its a good metric to apply to overall populations.

What?! No.... has nothing to do with evolution.

It's remained a standard because not everybody can afford to have density tests performed on their bodies every week. So doctors give them something that is easily calculated. Simplicity means more people will do it. Rough BF% can be done pretty damn close just no one bothers to do it or does it wrong.

ChgingMe

How many obese people actually have a "bigger build" and how many just think they do because they've always been overweight? I ask because im seeing a trend...

I agree. I think saying that one would look "unhealthy" at a "normal" BMI is a cop out to stay overweight and feel better about it. FTR: I'm 5'6" and 119 lbs. Low end of BMI.

agree. how can someone say they would look unhealthy at a weight theyve never seen themselves? or at a weight they havent seen in decades...bodies do change.

im 5'2" and 146 lbs which makes me 10 lbs overweight...and i am overweight thats why im here trying to lose about 20 lbs.

I can. If I lost 40 pounds to get to my acceptable bmi I would look horrible.

According to who, and based on what?

According to my body type. 20 pounds would do me good. 40 would kill me. That would have me in about a size 0. Too dag on skinny for a woman my age.

cleback

I agree with the following things:

1) For most of the population, BMI can be applied. This really isn't about looks, but about health indicators as mentioned before.

2) There are true exceptions; however, some people falsely think they are the exception. Just saying you're an athlete doesn't cut it... There are overweight athletes. (Think sumo wrestlers!)

3) Our perceptions of 'normal' and 'healthy' have changed as, as a society, we've gotten bigger, which influences how we interpret the BMI scale.

Personally, I find it frustrating when I'm talking to someone who thinks they are a normal weight, that BMI is a bunch of hooey, when their stomachs are sticking out further than their breasts. Really? C'mon. Also, clothing sizes are NOT a good indicator because there is a lot of variance with time and designers. It's no secret that more expensive brands will be more generous in attempt to flatter you and get to buy their product. Also, in general, sizes have become bigger over the last 50 years to accommodate our growing waistlines!

I'm by no means fat (5'5" 118ish). I feel skinny in America, but when I went to Europe-- oh boy-- I felt bigger, that's for sure. Americans have a funny view of healthy weights!

magpie0

Have most of those who are saying they're big boned actually checked?

dimsumkitty

Actually, it's been shown that BMI is no worse than skinfold tests and bioelectrical impedance. That's why we keep using it.

CoachReddy

For some, BMI is completely unrealistic. I am one of those individuals. When I get to around my goal weight, I actually look like I'm in the low to mid 100's but actually weigh in in the mid 200's. This is because of the VERY large bone frame, and dense bone structure. I also tend to have very dense muscles when I'm anywhere close to "in shape", but if I take the measurements for the hip-to-waist ratio along with my actual weight, I always come out well into the mid range, if not top end of over weight. I dread to think what I would look like if I were to actually get down to the "recommended" BMI weight of 160! I, personally, do not think that the anorexic look is a good look for me.

Every one of these posts is identical. Its pretty indicative of our culture... the self-delusion is incredible.

Aww. Not everyone is delusional. Really. I had been feeling some kind of way about this like I said. Just had a talk with 4 of my coworkers. One being the most brutally honest person on the planet, with no filter. (we have a love hate relationship. lol) all agree I in no way look obese. Ms. Brutallity told me aside from my pudgey middle I barely look overweight.LMBO.. I love her.

The poster I quoted claimed 260 pounds on a 5'8" shouldn't be called obese because she's got "dense muscles"

really?

I think its great that everyone on here is doing something to change their lives for the better, and I understand taking things one step at a time, but pragmatism and reality can only help you.