What do YOU think about "BMI"?

EmmaReed84
EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I see so much about BMI plastered everywhere and it sort of seems people can be obsessive about their BMI.

My issue with it is it used to say I was OBESE! I was about 18 years old, a size 8 (UK sizes) I was very slim and quite toned, but very busty... As in 32GG/30H (UK sizes) Once I was weighed at the doctors and was told I needed to lose weight!!

Anyway after having 2 children I had a breast reduction (my Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42 quite by fluke during a breast reduction and was told it was so deep she would have never found it, until it was too late) So anyway during this time I was doing slimming world, I lost almost 10lbs just from having my breasts significantly reduced.

Now I am "ideal" I still think, if I had not had my reduction I could very well be 10lbs heavier and classed as Overweight with a BMI of just over 25.4!

Replies

  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    I prefer BF% to BMI.
  • spetermann190
    spetermann190 Posts: 289 Member
    Gives me lots of laughs ... I am Obese by BMI
  • surromom2010
    surromom2010 Posts: 457 Member
    LOAD OF CRAP, completely inaccurate bs. BF% all the way,
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    My brother is a triathete and ultramarathon runner who is very densely muscled. According to his BMI, he is obese. Anyone looking at him would know he was in fantastic shape, though.

    BMI is a flawed method of analysis because it does not take body composition into account.
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    BMI is stupid. Body fat % is more important. BMI has me as underweight but I still have a little weight to lose.
  • Cyclink
    Cyclink Posts: 517 Member
    Completely inaccurate and not useful for much.

    Body fat is a much better indicator.
  • likitisplit
    likitisplit Posts: 9,420 Member
    If you have huge breasts, you'll have high body fat too. That's what they are composed of. No measurement works for everybody.
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    I prefer BF% to BMI.

    this!
  • EmmaReed84
    EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
    How do you get your BF%? (feel so thick for asking that lol)
  • DorkothyParker
    DorkothyParker Posts: 618 Member
    BMI is a quick and dirty way for *most* people to come to an understanding of where they stand weight wise. It's extremely imperfect. Body fat percentage, hip-waist ratio, physical endurance, etc are all better measurements of health.

    With that said, BMI is a good indicator for me (a small busted female) so I know I am on the right track (not obese). For what my goals are, I need to know my body fat %.
  • dym123
    dym123 Posts: 1,670 Member
    My BF% is 26 which is healthy, but my BMI is 32.4 is which is obese. My hip to waist ratio and height to hip ratio are within normal range. I think I'll take the BF% over the BMI. My goal was to get down to 160lbs, now it's to get my BF% down to between 19-20.

    I've tried different online calculators which uses measurements and I came up with an average, though I would really like to get a more accurate reading at some point.
  • deja_blu
    deja_blu Posts: 359 Member
    How do you get your BF%? (feel so thick for asking that lol)

    BMI doesn't take into consideration what is muscle and what is fat in your body.

    You should be able to find a calculator online for this, as a rough estimate. I use this one with a measuring tape.

    http://www.linear-software.com/online.html
  • neandermagnon
    neandermagnon Posts: 7,436 Member
    well according to BMI I'm borderline between healthy and overweight (24.6 BMI) - and some charts list me as well into the overweight range

    5'1"
    130lb
    100-101lb lean body mass

    BMI range for my height: 100-132lb (some charts say 100-124lb)

    My body fat percentage is about 22%. My ribs stick out when I raise my arms above my head (stick out as in can count individual ribs). I have muscle definition when I flex. I am a novice at lifting, I can't even squat my bodyweight yet (so I'm nowhere near "jacked" or "ripped" or anything like that)

    My lean body mass is in the healthy range for my height according to BMI.

    So guess what I think of BMI lol
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    BMI is total crap for people who have low body fat.

    According to the BMI chart, all elite athletes (think Vikings player Adrian Peterson) are overweight or even obese simply because BMI doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle.

    Adrian Peterson has a BMI of 28.6 which puts him in the Overweight category according the chart. See his picture below, no one would consider him fat!

    http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/adrian-peterson-02_.jpg
  • eowynmn
    eowynmn Posts: 165 Member
    It's not completely off base as a measurement of standard, but it is because it's not for everyone. BF% is a good standard, but so is saying someone is morbidly obese. There's no getting around the fact that morbidly obese is not good. Lots of people like to excuse their BMI by saying that it doesn't fit them because of xyz, but it's still a standard and the exceptions are semi-rare. For instance a body builder with so much muscle mass that he is overweight or obese in bmi standards is rare, or a woman with such disproportionately large breasts that they send her into overweight status is rare. For the norm, it's a good, broad measure of health to start with. Anyone can quickly calcuate their BMI on the interwebs and figure out if maybe there's something they need to reevaluate in their life. (This is coming from someone who's still morbidly obese for another 2 pounds or so)
  • moustache_flavored_lube
    moustache_flavored_lube Posts: 849 Member
    BF is superior to BMI. for the reasons everyone has already pointed out.

    However, Body fat percentage has its own issues. Mainly that the methods most of use to measure it are pretty inaccurate. It is a lot of work to reduce your bodyfat by 3% which is the margin of error for electrical impedance machines.

    Even the electrical impedance and calipers are harder for most people to get access to than a scale, and how many people really get dexa scans?
  • EmmaReed84
    EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
    OK so I have just gone on a website that said based on my calculations, my BF% is 24% that good right?

    (there are people shaking their heads at me right now due to my thickness LOL) *BLUSHES* I am just learning about this stuff :)
  • eowynmn
    eowynmn Posts: 165 Member
    Yes, the healthy range is 20-25
  • stines72
    stines72 Posts: 853 Member
    i think it sucks a big one. what about muscly people?
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    How do you get your BF%? (feel so thick for asking that lol)
    The only accurate way is to have a DEXA scan performed. But there are body fat calculators online that will provide a VERY rough estimate. Another way is to have a professional measure you using calipers. You can try using calipers yourself, but again, it's going to be a rough estimate due to user error/inconsistency.
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    I'm in normal bmi but my hip to waist ratio is high... boom already disproved BMI.
  • 1ConcreteGirl
    1ConcreteGirl Posts: 3,677 Member
    Ways you can get your BF%

    1) skinfold calipers
    2) DEXA scan
    3) hydrostatic testing
    4) online calculator

    none of these methods are totally reliable and there are a number of variables that can change the reading. The main thing is to track it as best you can, say monthly, and see it decreasing.
  • moustache_flavored_lube
    moustache_flavored_lube Posts: 849 Member
    I vote for eat clean and healthy, work out hard often, and get to where you look defined and reasonably lean in the mirror. Don't sweat the numbers too much.
  • ♥xenawarriorprincess♥
    ♥xenawarriorprincess♥ Posts: 440 Member
    I agree the DEXA scan will be your best bet
  • EmmaReed84
    EmmaReed84 Posts: 263 Member
    I vote for eat clean and healthy, work out hard often, and get to where you look defined and reasonably lean in the mirror. Don't sweat the numbers too much.

    MFP needs a like button *like*

    I am just learning to "let go" of numbers and concentrate on my body image, also my confidence in my own skin. But I do like numbers, weights, inches etc... it all fascinates me... I think I am a bit sad LOL!!!
  • wdshell
    wdshell Posts: 16
    I wont even get started on BMI, its an inaccurate system that seriously needs thought.

    I tell my clients to focus on bodyfat% and measurements. As long as the numbers are going in the right direction (down) then they're on the right track.
  • theskinnylist
    theskinnylist Posts: 286 Member
    Oh you mean the Bogus Measurement Index? It's really horrible... I don't know how to tell my mother-in-law to stop using it, or just save that battle.

    But yes, my best indicator is your body fat percentage. I wouldn't do any of the calculations online. Go to your doctor (or even the gym), they may have a few things that could calculate your BF % (with a smaller margin of error, i.e. BodPod, dunk test, handheld, etc.)
  • missskinnygal2013
    missskinnygal2013 Posts: 1
    I was 14 and the girl said that I needed to lose weight. But the doctor looked at the regular weight for most girls my age instead of my age! I was 5'8 and weighed 147 pounds. I went to a new doctor and was told that I was perfectly fine. I wouldn't use the BMI.
  • ThisGirl2013
    ThisGirl2013 Posts: 220 Member
    I think it is unrealistic. At best, a very basic guideline or idea of where one should be at.
    Then again, maybe because of how we eat, not you and I personally but people in general, we don't realize how overweight we really are.
    Take away all the processed stuff and fast food and go back to how we are technically SUPPOSED to eat - organic and raw and THEN it might be more realistic. At least, for today's society...

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