Doctors Keep Telling Me I'm Overweight
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I am 5'8" and my weight falls between 150-154, depending on the day. Usually when I go into the doc's office and they weigh me, the nurse is surprised to find that she has to bump up to the 150 range to get my weight. I wear medium in just about everything, sizes anywhere from 8 to 12, depending on the brands and I cannot remember the last time I have ever worn a small. But I have never had any doctor tell me I am overweight (even when I weighed 12 more pounds than I do now). I agree with others that say that this could be a body composition thing that you might have to deal with, where if you are really concerned about what they are saying, you might get your body fat checked and work on lowering your body fat % and retaining as much lean muscle mass as possible, rather than just losing weight.0
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I ran the numbers too, and got the same results as others: 24.3 and barely in the normal range. Normal for you is 19 - 24.Perhaps that is why your health professionals are still telling you to lose weight. My doctor gave me a weight range to be in - 150 - 160 based on BMI calculations. Perhaps that's what they are trying to tell you too.0
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Where are you getting 140 as the ideal weight? Is it that ridiculous outdated 100 lbs plus 5 lbs for every inch over 5 feet you are? Because that's even less accurate than BMI.I would listen to them. With you being 5'8" and 152-160, you are overweight still. And looking at your pic, you are a medium frame. Try measuring your wrists and ankles. You don't have a low body fat % and that would be the only reason you wouldn't be considered overweight with those stats. Keep up the good work.
Her bmi isn't in the overweight range though? So how are you determining that she's overweight?
Body composition. She is medium or even small frame according to her tiny wrists. Ideal weight for 5'8" is 140 with good body fat %. She has a little higher body fat % and 12-20 extra pounds. So that is slightly overweight. BMI is not a good test if you are looking to be fit.
Why do you think that is ridiculous and outdated? Is it because over 60% of Americans are overweight or obese and you think we should up the ideal for you?
No, I don't think we should up the ideal. It was actually lowered in 1998. It's ridiculous and outdated because even BMI, which is flawed, gives a range from 122-164 as being a healthy weight for someone who is 5'8. If you weigh 141 you're not overweight, and if you weigh 139 you're not underweight. The OP is within that healthy range. That's not overweight.
FWIW I'm 5'8 and my goal weight is 160. Even when I was a gawky, scrawny high schooler I was 150. I do have abnormally large wrists and ankles, though, if that means anything to you. And they're bony! Even at my current weight!0 -
Where are you getting 140 as the ideal weight? Is it that ridiculous outdated 100 lbs plus 5 lbs for every inch over 5 feet you are? Because that's even less accurate than BMI.I would listen to them. With you being 5'8" and 152-160, you are overweight still. And looking at your pic, you are a medium frame. Try measuring your wrists and ankles. You don't have a low body fat % and that would be the only reason you wouldn't be considered overweight with those stats. Keep up the good work.
Her bmi isn't in the overweight range though? So how are you determining that she's overweight?
Body composition. She is medium or even small frame according to her tiny wrists. Ideal weight for 5'8" is 140 with good body fat %. She has a little higher body fat % and 12-20 extra pounds. So that is slightly overweight. BMI is not a good test if you are looking to be fit.
Why do you think that is ridiculous and outdated? Is it because over 60% of Americans are overweight or obese and you think we should up the ideal for you?
I mean, to be fair, according to that formula I should be 115, but I'd be hardpressed to believe I need to lose another 30someoddpounds.
YMMV
And not to confuse my case with the OP, who may very well have a high body fat percentage and could be fine at 140. Just saying it certainly doesn't apply to everyone.0 -
Where are you getting 140 as the ideal weight? Is it that ridiculous outdated 100 lbs plus 5 lbs for every inch over 5 feet you are? Because that's even less accurate than BMI.
Why do you think that is ridiculous and outdated? Is it because over 60% of Americans are overweight or obese and you think we should up the ideal for you?
No, it's because giving a specific number as the 'ideal' weight is a ridiculous idea. Some people naturally tend towards the lighter end and some towards the heavier end at the same body fat %. One of my friends has the same body fat that I do and her BMI is 7 less. That's why BMI, as flawed as it is, still gives a *range*.
I could probably get down to the 150 lbs that that formula gives for me, but I would need to lose at least 10 lbs of lean mass to do so, and I see absolutely no reason to do that. My goal is a specific body fat %, not a specific weight.
ETA: With respect to the OP, I would second the recommendation to get your body fat checked if it's affordable. Then you will know for sure.0 -
Where are you getting 140 as the ideal weight? Is it that ridiculous outdated 100 lbs plus 5 lbs for every inch over 5 feet you are? Because that's even less accurate than BMI.
Why do you think that is ridiculous and outdated? Is it because over 60% of Americans are overweight or obese and you think we should up the ideal for you?
No, it's because giving a specific number as the 'ideal' weight is a ridiculous idea. Some people naturally tend towards the lighter end and some towards the heavier end at the same body fat %. One of my friends has the same body fat that I do and her BMI is 7 less. That's why BMI, as flawed as it is, still gives a *range*.
I could probably get down to the 150 lbs that that formula gives for me, but I would need to lose at least 10 lbs of lean mass to do so, and I see absolutely no reason to do that. My goal is a specific body fat %, not a specific weight.
ETA: With respect to the OP, I would second the recommendation to get your body fat checked if it's affordable. Then you will know for sure.
I kinda like this one: http://www.grassrootsnaturalmarketandkitchen.com/ns/c/calculator-idealweight.htm?storeID=FE37DD3DABC14A398DFEFCE5499F7C810 -
Doctors always goes by "statistics" when it comes to height and weight. Let them say what they will say, but keep it clear that you are not overweight. Also, ask them why they say your are overweight.
Or, you could say, "Hey doc, the numbers don't count." :bigsmile:
I had a trainer once who told me the numbers don't count when I complained about how overweight I was at that time. She was about 5 foot 10 or 11 and weighed 185 pounds. She had not one ounce of fat on her and she looked and felt fabulous.0 -
Even when I was overweight, my doctor kept telling me I wasn't - even at 5'8" and in the 190s, I was still being told by my doctor that I didn't need to lose weight unless I was doing it for purely cosmetic reasons. His logic was that I've always been very active, have a lot of muscle, I don't carry my weight around my abdomen (even at 190) and all my bloodwork and blood pressure and such was good. I lost weight and feel much better now, but I guess I didn't "need" to.
Ask the logic behind what they are saying. We are all guessing here as to whether they are basing their comments off of some sort of chart or visual impression or whatever, but we're just guessing as to what your doctor meant. Only your doctor knows what he/she meant, so you have to ask.0 -
Where are you getting 140 as the ideal weight? Is it that ridiculous outdated 100 lbs plus 5 lbs for every inch over 5 feet you are? Because that's even less accurate than BMI.
If this is the case in in trouble seeing as I am 5'4" and my LBM is 117 lbs, yet 100 + 5 would put me at 120. That's only 2.5% bf. :frown:0 -
I would listen to them. With you being 5'8" and 152-160, you are overweight still. And looking at your pic, you are a medium frame. Try measuring your wrists and ankles. You don't have a low body fat % and that would be the only reason you wouldn't be considered overweight with those stats. Keep up the good work.
Her bmi isn't in the overweight range though? So how are you determining that she's overweight?
Body composition. She is medium or even small frame according to her tiny wrists. Ideal weight for 5'8" is 140 with good body fat %. She has a little higher body fat % and 12-20 extra pounds. So that is slightly overweight. BMI is not a good test if you are looking to be fit.
Ideal weight for a 5 8" person is 140lb?
I am 148lb in my avi - at 5 6".0 -
Where are you getting 140 as the ideal weight? Is it that ridiculous outdated 100 lbs plus 5 lbs for every inch over 5 feet you are? Because that's even less accurate than BMI.I would listen to them. With you being 5'8" and 152-160, you are overweight still. And looking at your pic, you are a medium frame. Try measuring your wrists and ankles. You don't have a low body fat % and that would be the only reason you wouldn't be considered overweight with those stats. Keep up the good work.
Her bmi isn't in the overweight range though? So how are you determining that she's overweight?
Body composition. She is medium or even small frame according to her tiny wrists. Ideal weight for 5'8" is 140 with good body fat %. She has a little higher body fat % and 12-20 extra pounds. So that is slightly overweight. BMI is not a good test if you are looking to be fit.
Why do you think that is ridiculous and outdated? Is it because over 60% of Americans are overweight or obese and you think we should up the ideal for you?
Where are you getting this from...its a silly blanket statement.0 -
Where are you getting 140 as the ideal weight? Is it that ridiculous outdated 100 lbs plus 5 lbs for every inch over 5 feet you are? Because that's even less accurate than BMI.
If this is the case in in trouble seeing as I am 5'4" and my LBM is 117 lbs, yet 100 + 5 would put me at 120. That's only 2.5% bf. :frown:
If that's the case a lot of people are in trouble. Sara up there should probably just give up and throw in the towel right now.
(I keed I keed)0 -
Where are you getting 140 as the ideal weight? Is it that ridiculous outdated 100 lbs plus 5 lbs for every inch over 5 feet you are? Because that's even less accurate than BMI.I would listen to them. With you being 5'8" and 152-160, you are overweight still. And looking at your pic, you are a medium frame. Try measuring your wrists and ankles. You don't have a low body fat % and that would be the only reason you wouldn't be considered overweight with those stats. Keep up the good work.
Her bmi isn't in the overweight range though? So how are you determining that she's overweight?
Body composition. She is medium or even small frame according to her tiny wrists. Ideal weight for 5'8" is 140 with good body fat %. She has a little higher body fat % and 12-20 extra pounds. So that is slightly overweight. BMI is not a good test if you are looking to be fit.
Why do you think that is ridiculous and outdated? Is it because over 60% of Americans are overweight or obese and you think we should up the ideal for you?
I mean, to be fair, according to that formula I should be 115, but I'd be hardpressed to believe I need to lose another 30someoddpounds.
YMMV
And not to confuse my case with the OP, who may very well have a high body fat percentage and could be fine at 140. Just saying it certainly doesn't apply to everyone.
Apparently I am 18lb overweight! Considering my LBM is about 123lb - I can have a grand total of 7lb of fat - 5% BF. I'll be right on that!0 -
I'm 5'8" as well. Healthy BMI but unhealthy amount of body fat. Turns out I don't seems to have enough muscle mass as well. I'm just flabby and weak all over.0
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i haven't looked at it in a while (am sure everyone will tell me things have changed), but last i read, waist circumference was thought to correlate to CV disease risk, maybe that's what they were talking about? though it doesn't sound like they measured your waist, or that you'd exceed guidelines (quick check on webmd, 35 inches for women)0
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I am so tired of doctors that have no body modification background and professional skill set relying in the archaic bmi test. The best measure of a woman's true shape is through the amount of lean muscle mass and fat pounds she carries ( bodyfat percentage) her basal metabolic rate (bmr) and the waist to height ratio.0
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You need new doctors.0
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So for women in general heathy bodyfat percentages ranges from 18-28% the waist to height ratio is key and should at least augment the bmi as a decent health risk diagnostic tool. But I generally take the measurement of the thickest part if the waistline for my clients instead of the navel or the narrowest part. The ratio should not exceed 0.5 fir women. In your case the thickest part of your waist (usually lower region of the abdominal ) should be 34 in at most 0.5 of your 68 in height.0
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Yes I agree that the guidelines in general for women in the pouch area (lower abs) should be at most 35 in for lowest risk of degenerative diseases especially metabolic disorders.0
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As far as the weight ranges for bmi I have had clients that have had good bloodwork even at 30+ bmi ranges because they became more curvy had thicker frames and bone structures and had brought their bodyfat under 28% in the healthy range and their waistline at 0.5 or less. This means as long as a woman that is a certain height ( 5 '8) in this example ) is under 28% bf and her waistline is under 0.5 of her height she can be healthy even at higher bmis in certain cases.0
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Yes I agree that the guidelines in general for women in the pouch area (lower abs) should be at most 35 in for lowest risk of degenerative diseases especially metabolic disorders.
is that where the measurement was taken for the studies, though?0 -
Ignore the people who are frying to shame you. If you can, try different clinics and check out www.drsharma.ca/ .He is my personal obesity doctor & would NEVER have let any of his colleagues treat you with such little respect. You deserve so much better then that just because you're human0
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\Ignore the people who are frying to shame you. If you can, try different clinics and check out www.drsharma.ca/ .He is my personal obesity doctor & would NEVER have let any of his colleagues treat you with such little respect. You deserve so much better then that just because you're human
...Are we reading the same thread?0 -
Ignore the people who are frying to shame you. If you can, try different clinics and check out www.drsharma.ca/ .He is my personal obesity doctor & would NEVER have let any of his colleagues treat you with such little respect. You deserve so much better then that just because you're human
Your sympathy with the OP is laudable, but a little misplaced, given her situation (it doesn't sound like she will need specialist care). But, I agree that obesity is poorly understood & measured, that obese people suffer all kinds of inappropriate judgements.
You are very lucky to be treated by Dr. Sharma. (for those who don't know: former Canada Research Chair in Obesity Studies.)0 -
As far as the weight ranges for bmi I have had clients that have had good bloodwork even at 30+ bmi ranges because they became more curvy had thicker frames and bone structures and had brought their bodyfat under 28% in the healthy range and their waistline at 0.5 or less. This means as long as a woman that is a certain height ( 5 '8) in this example ) is under 28% bf and her waistline is under 0.5 of her height she can be healthy even at higher bmis in certain cases.
No. No.
1) Risk ratios in later studies on Waist to Height Ratios are age-dependent.
2) One can be healthy at higher ratios but risk is increased it isn't suddenly a given.
Based on the age results there is no significant critical risk at 0.5 to 0.6 for women over 40.
Sorry but you need to stop applying magic number thinking.0 -
Your BMI at 160 pounds is 24.3, which is the high end of the healthy range and not considered overweight.
So those people are basically idiots and you should probably just ignore them.0 -
Did you ask your doctor how they determined you were overweight? What criteria they were using to give you that information? It seems like that would be the place to start.0
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This is a "government" health department??
Those people don't have masters degrees... get real. (And I should add that a doctor would have a doctorate, anyway.)
I used to have my kids on WIC and the health department would tell me all sorts of crap and I would go back to the pediatrician, and she would say to ignore all the crap.
So basically, what I'm saying is... ignore the health department. They have been given a script.0 -
I don't know what to do. I know I've made a lot of progress, and I want to feel good about it, but I can't if the doctors keep telling me I'm overweight. Should I just ignore them? It seems like I shouldn't since they're the ones with the master's degrees, but I don't know.
You can feel good about your progress even if there is still work to be done. The progress hasn't gone anywhere. You're still 50 lbs lighter, fitter, and feeling better about yourself. Keep up the great work with the working out. Since the picture isn't recent, and we don't know your body fat %, I doubt any of us here can tell you whether or not you "need" to lose more fat, but if you do, you're already on the track to doing so. Great job!0 -
The cutoff for an overweight BMI at 5'8" is 164 lbs. At 150-160, you are not above that line and are considered at a healthy BMI.0
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