BMI vs Body Fat % --- Which is better?

OtiWanKenobi

I ask this because after having taken my measurements and using an online calculator like www.fat2fitradio.com, I currently have a body fat % of 37.1 which puts me at an overweight category. (I used to be 45%+ BF!!! :noway: )

When I check out my BMI on MFP's site, I'm still considered obese. :frown: I certainly don't feel or look it.

So my question is, should a healthy BF % be my goal or BMI?

Fat2Fitradio - says I have 122 lbs of lean body mass and that at a 25% body fat percentage I should reach for a goal of 163lbs.

BMI calculator - says I'm obese and that I would be in a healthy range between 120 lbs - 160 lbs. Anything over 160 and I'm still obese!!! :sad:

What are your thoughts?????

OtiWanKenobi

*bump

Anyone?

AmandaMaitland

I would go off of BF % ! Because BMI doesn't really pertain to muscle mass and body fat mass. You know? I could be starving my body just to weigh 130, be skinny fat, and have a healthy BMI. However, I'd lose a lot of muscle. I could eat more, build muscle to burn fat, and weigh 140 (still a healthy BMI), but an even HEALTHIER body fat % ! Remember not to focus on the number on the scale!!

The_Enginerd

Body fat. BMI is good for statistics of a population and general guide, but can break down at the individual level if your lean mass is high, such as athletes.

OtiWanKenobi

Ok, thanks guys! :flowerforyou:


Amanda...lol. I'm still fixated on #'s!!! Ahhhhhh!

I'll follow my BF% most definitely!

susannamarie

Body fat, but BMI is easier to measure.

Either way, you've got weight to lose, right?

You're not going to skip over 163 on your way down (I wish it would work like that), so when you get to 163, look in the mirror. If you say "Ooh I don't like my love handles", keep losing. If you say "dayum, I look good!" stop losing.

drefaw

Always go off of your BF%. BMI is BS .......

According to BMI, I was obese when I was in the military .......I'm 6'2" and I was 235lbs @ 8%BF ......But obese by BMI charts ..

tanashai

I'm going by BF% for my overall goal because I'm not looking to be super skinny (I look like a stick without some body fat!) and I'm aiming for healthy, but not super slim. (and my son was not precisely easy on my hip bones, ha ha) As a side note, I think I like the Fat 2 Fit better than the one I use; according to it, I'm already just about in the upper level of the healthy range and out of being overweight XD. Oh vanity!

deksgrl

Body fat. You can be at a healthy BMI and still have too much fat.