Doctor versus BMI

mybutterflower
mybutterflower Posts: 90 Member
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
I just got back from the doctor and he commended me on my weight loss progress this past year. What confused me though is he said a realistic healthy goal weight for someone of my height (5'2") and build (medium) is around 140 to 150 pounds. According to BMI charts, my healthy weight range is between 101.2 and 136.7 pounds. Why is there such a discrepancy and which weight range should I be aiming for? Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated :smile:

Replies

  • Aeriel
    Aeriel Posts: 864 Member
    Not certain why he would say that. Doctor told me a good weight for me was between 150 and 160, which is middle to mid upper of a normal BMI and I am 5'8" tall. Unless you are extremely muscular, I would think you'd probably be good around 130 pounds,
  • mybutterflower
    mybutterflower Posts: 90 Member
    Thanks, Aeriel :smile: I was thinking around 130 pounds too. The goal of 120 in my signature is just my "oh my gosh, wouldn't that be awesome if I could do it" goal :laugh:
  • Healthyby30
    Healthyby30 Posts: 1,349 Member
    BMI is sort of just a generalization. It doesn't take into consideration your frame or anything other than weight and height.
  • Egger29
    Egger29 Posts: 14,741 Member
    BMI doesn;t account for Body Composition which makes it an erroneous and often inaccurate means of measuring your level of fitness.

    Lean Mass (Muscle, Bone, Blood Vessels etc) are more dense and thus weigh more / square inch than body fat. (Consider comparing a Tennis Ball to a Softball...if each weighed 1 lb the tennis ball would be lean mass and softball would be Fat mass).

    Thus, athletic individuals or people with a larger bone structure will not fit under BMI.

    Best reference is on how your clothes fit, or if you have access, have your body fat measured and see where you stand there.

    Normal BF %age for women is between 18 and 26%. Over 32- 35% BF is where you get into health concerns.

    Cheers
  • wifeyplus6
    wifeyplus6 Posts: 28
    Are you very muscular or have dense bones. this is my case, so the BMI isn't entirely accurate. I'm 5'4" tall...
  • npryor100
    npryor100 Posts: 99 Member
    I am 5'4 with a petite frame and my doctor told me to shoot for around 150lb and then re-evaluate my goals (even though I would have to weigh in between 130 and 145 to be consided healthy according the BMI chart).

    He told me that you can be a little higher on the BMI scale and not generate a great degree of concern for health reasons (high blood pressure, heart disease etc.) Perhaps your doctor was thinking along the lines of mine?
  • DeeDeeLHF
    DeeDeeLHF Posts: 2,301 Member
    I am 5 ft 1 and an extra half inch! My current weight is 122 and I am in maintenance for a time. In the spring I am going to try for a few more pounds off. My sister is 5 ft exactly and if she tried to get below 122 it would look weird on her. She is a perfect hourglass and those curves require a bit more weight.

    I agree, to go with the body fat percentage over actual weight.

    Was there a medical reason that he said this?


    D
  • emott84
    emott84 Posts: 108
    I was told when I had my fitness assessment last week that the BMI calculator won't mean too much for me because I too have a dense bone structure/and am muscular.

    From what I understand the body fat % is a more accurate reflection of what your "ideal weight" should be.

    The BMI calculator tells me that I need to be at the most 140lbs to be in the healthy range, whereas after a measurement of my body fat (with all sorts of computer calculations of my measurements/weight, etc) I'm told 160lbs for me will be ideal just based on the structure of my body.

    So, if you have access to any sort of fitness assessment through your doctor or gym, I'd suggest going for that instead of relying on a very general calculator.
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    I'm 5'5.5" and my goal is to be 130-140. I'm pretty muscular, especially in my legs and have fairly dense bones, but with a healthy body fat percentage this is a healthy weight for me.
  • sara_m83
    sara_m83 Posts: 545 Member
    I'm also 5'2 and am aiming for 115lbs. While we all have different body builds, I have a hard time imagining a 5'2 person at 160lbs being at their "ideal" weight. Most general practitioners are not experts in nutrition or weight management. Listen to your research and your body.
  • Bermudabarbie
    Bermudabarbie Posts: 568 Member
    You still have a ways to go, so I think that you, too, will play a role in this. Unless your doctor has a specific reason for recommending a somewhat higher weight, I think you should just diet down to at least 20 pounds from your personal goal. I am on maintenance now and I have a maintenance range of 133-138. Most of us on maintenance have a range, rather than a specific number. I have only lost 9 pounds on MFP, but have lost 84 pounds overall.

    I am 136, 5'8 1/2 inches, BMI 20.4. I feel great and am about a size 6 to a size 8. I would love to reach a size 4 jean. Just a personal wish. My doctor feels I have lost enough weight, but he didn't say that I shouldn't lose any more under any circumstance. It will be my choice.

    I go slowly now. You will know when you are "there." You will feel great and look great. Make it happen! You are a great looking gal and you will look even more awesome when you reach your goal. Please feel free to add me as a friend if you would like.
  • Aeriel
    Aeriel Posts: 864 Member

    I am 136, 5'8 1/2 inches, BMI 20.4. I feel great and am about a size 6 to a size 8. I would love to reach a size 4 jean. Just a personal wish. My doctor feels I have lost enough weight, but he didn't say that I shouldn't lose any more under any circumstance. It will be my choice.

    This just shows the differences in body structure and weight. I am right about the same height (5'8"), weigh 163 right now, and I am in a size 8 or 10 depending on the pant and M/L in shirts. PIck a number where you feel good, and you feel you look good, My goal of 150 is an estimate only. If I am happy at 155, I'll stop. If I think I need to lost a little more at 150, I might go to 145, but probably not much further than that.
  • momtodeshawn
    momtodeshawn Posts: 54 Member
    Can I just say that I love your doctor??!! lol I have a med/large frame and I *know* I will never weigh 120 lbs (and look healthy). I'm comfortable around 145, possibly a little less, but not much (and I'm 5'2" also). It makes me want to cry every time I use the Wii Fit and it tells me that my *ideal* weight is 119lbs. lol
  • mybutterflower
    mybutterflower Posts: 90 Member
    Thank you all so much for your input and advice! :smile:
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