BMI and body type?

lrbassmom
lrbassmom Posts: 123
in Health and Weight Loss
I'll be honest. I weigh waay more than most women. In the past when I was a size 6 or size 8, I weighed in at about 150 (I'm 5'5"). Which would put me in the overweight category. I've always carried around more muscle than is normal for most women and always been heavier than any woman I've ever met.

I guess what I'm saying is that a size 6 or 8 is NOT overweight, is it? If I was a tiny petite frame it might be, but I do have a large frame, as measured by wrist circumference.

Is there a better gauge of fitness than BMI? It just seems like BMI uses a 'one size fits all' approach.

Replies

  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    BMI is basically worthless.

    You're better off gauging your health via body fat % and how you feel.

    But, no - I don't think a woman that wears a 6-8 is realistically overweight.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Not that unusual. I am over 150lb and in a size 6 at 5 6". BMI is not good for people with a decent amount of LBM.

    You should focus on BF%.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I'll be honest. I weigh waay more than most women. In the past when I was a size 6 or size 8, I weighed in at about 150 (I'm 5'5"). Which would put me in the overweight category. I've always carried around more muscle than is normal for most women and always been heavier than any woman I've ever met.

    I guess what I'm saying is that a size 6 or 8 is NOT overweight, is it? If I was a tiny petite frame it might be, but I do have a large frame, as measured by wrist circumference.

    Is there a better gauge of fitness than BMI? It just seems like BMI uses a 'one size fits all' approach.

    When I was a normal weight, I was a size 16, so you can't go by sizes.
  • Aviva92
    Aviva92 Posts: 2,333 Member
    I don't think that pants size is a good indicator of whether or not a person is overweight. I've always been a larger pants size than my weight would indicate because my hip bones are wide. I'm currently 5'4", 115 pounds and a size 6 or 8. Most women my height and weight are a smaller size. Sounds like I have the opposite issue as you do.

    At my highest weight of 140 which is technically still normal, I was a size 12 or 14. So yeah...
  • mdh185
    mdh185 Posts: 49 Member
    At my current weight, 206 (I am 5'11) I consider myself overweight, but, even when I get to my target of 185 my BMI will still be over weight. I think BMI is useless. BF% and frankly blood chemistry are more important health factors.
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    I'll be honest. I weigh waay more than most women. In the past when I was a size 6 or size 8, I weighed in at about 150 (I'm 5'5"). Which would put me in the overweight category. I've always carried around more muscle than is normal for most women and always been heavier than any woman I've ever met.

    I guess what I'm saying is that a size 6 or 8 is NOT overweight, is it? If I was a tiny petite frame it might be, but I do have a large frame, as measured by wrist circumference.

    Is there a better gauge of fitness than BMI? It just seems like BMI uses a 'one size fits all' approach.
    I still fit some of the same pants that when I was my largest. I have large hips, and at my largest was a size 8/9 and I was definitely overweight. What I'm saying is pant size isn't really great symbol of good weight. The BMI was designed to guesstimate a sedentary individual. If you are not sedentary, then you should not be using that scale.
  • Doctorpurple
    Doctorpurple Posts: 507 Member
    Have you tried getting your body fat percentage tested. There are many methods out there but the accurate ones that you should go by is the hydrostatic testing, DEXA scan or bod pod. I'm sure you will find at least one in your area. Just google body bod (insert your area here). The reason why I suggested this is, going about your jean size is probably as inaccurate as BMI. Because different stores have different sizing system. I know for sure that my size varies from store to store. In some stores like banana republic, I can wear size 0 clothes (no I'm not that thin). And some places I wear a size 4. In reality size 6 or 8 is usually not overweight and you are probably right that you are muscular which is why you should get your body fat tested. If you are within the normal body fat range that you can leave this dilemma to rest.

    Edit: Also I forgot to mention. Another reason why jean size is not accurate measurement is people's body can have different shapes. Pear shaped women tend to store more fat or bulk in there lower half so although they are relatively fit, they can have a larger jean size. Hourglass women are in the middle, and apple shaped or inverted triangle shaped women tend to store more bulk/fat in the upper body therefore they will have a smaller jean size even if they are larger.
  • mmddwechanged
    mmddwechanged Posts: 1,687 Member
    <<<<< 5'7" 150 - 152 pounds. Less upper body muscle than I've ever had in my life. Still, not overweight:)
  • lrbassmom
    lrbassmom Posts: 123
    Yeah, I've kind of been going on BF%, which is coming down. Yay!... But that is going off of a Tanita body fat electronic scale. I know those aren't super accurate but it is something to gauge off of.

    I'm also measuring. To date I've lost .5 inch in my waist and an inch in my hips... double yay!
  • tigzomalley
    tigzomalley Posts: 3
    my doctor has advised me to get my bmi to 30 or under - but she did say it is hard - to use bmi as a guide

    not sure if this is helpfful or not
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    Bodyfat % is a much better gauge. My favorite statistic is that Arnold Schwarzenegger was "OBESE" when he won Mr. Olympia & Mr. Universe at 6'1" and 235 lbs.. So BMI isn't an exact measurement.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Tagging to read
  • skcardiog
    skcardiog Posts: 316 Member
    BMI not the end all to be all - use it as a starter indicator to see which category you fall in, then go workout.
  • Aviva92
    Aviva92 Posts: 2,333 Member
    Bodyfat % is a much better gauge. My favorite statistic is that Arnold Schwarzenegger was "OBESE" when he won Mr. Olympia & Mr. Universe at 6'1" and 235 lbs.. So BMI isn't an exact measurement.

    there doesn't seem to be any good and convenient way to even figure this number out.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    Bodyfat % is a much better gauge. My favorite statistic is that Arnold Schwarzenegger was "OBESE" when he won Mr. Olympia & Mr. Universe at 6'1" and 235 lbs.. So BMI isn't an exact measurement.

    there doesn't seem to be any good and convenient way to even figure this number out.

    That's because it's a very difficult thing to gauge due to the random placement of fat on every individual. Get a DEXA scan if you're that worried about 'good'. Buy a cheap pair of calipers and learn how to use them if you are more worried about convenient.

    As for the BMI, this guy (Stan Efferding) is morbidly obese, according to it:
    StanEfferding-MD-Bernal-422.jpg
  • morticiamom
    morticiamom Posts: 221 Member
    A better measure of potential obesity/overweight, if you can't get a body fat percentage, is waist size to height ratio.

    http://www.health-calc.com/body-composition/waist-to-height-ratio
  • Aviva92
    Aviva92 Posts: 2,333 Member
    A better measure of potential obesity/overweight, if you can't get a body fat percentage, is waist size to height ratio.

    http://www.health-calc.com/body-composition/waist-to-height-ratio

    I think that is flawed. I have a wide frame which makes my waist size larger than other women my weight and height. My waist is wide, but flat. I think that any sort of calculation that uses measurements will be flawed.

    I'm not sure what is wrong with just using the good old mirror method.
  • LdyPsych
    LdyPsych Posts: 79 Member
    I agree with you, when you are a female with more than the average amount of muscle (e.g., cut, density, whatever), it is difficult to go by any traditional measures. I assume it is because I have a high percentage of fast twitch muscle, but I have always had a lot more muscle and build it faster than average. Although I am currently in the obese range, since I began working out again during the past year my legs are like towers of solid (and cut) muscle. My calves have always been amazing, even when I am making zero effort beyond walking from chair to chair! So for us, BMI simply will not be a good measure of true health/fitness and you may end up having to deal with that fact with doctors and insurance companies. On the positive side, you can have great muscle with minimal effort. Not a bad trade off! :bigsmile:
  • denezy
    denezy Posts: 573 Member
    <
    obese in this photo.

    Don't trust BMI.
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    Not that unusual. I am over 150lb and in a size 6 at 5 6". BMI is not good for people with a decent amount of LBM.

    You should focus on BF%.

    and you miss thing are smokin hott :love:
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Not that unusual. I am over 150lb and in a size 6 at 5 6". BMI is not good for people with a decent amount of LBM.

    You should focus on BF%.

    and you miss thing are smokin hott :love:

    :blushing: Right back atcha :flowerforyou:
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    OP, I'm so jealous! I'm not a size 6 until I'm 120-125lb :cry: You're so lucky!

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