Importance of BMI?

Jenni268
Jenni268 Posts: 202 Member
edited September 25 in Health and Weight Loss
How much stock should I put in my BMI? I've heard it a lot of different ways from a lot of different people. I don't know how or why the system was created, but I get kinda caught up in what my BMI is (actually, I get caught up in all the "numbers")

I know some people swear by the system, in fact every doctor's office I've ever gone to have the charts all over the walls, but how good is a system that doesn't take into account that every body is built differently?

Just interested in hearing everyone's thoughts on the subject!

Replies

  • kelseybee17
    kelseybee17 Posts: 32
    I just try to be in the limits. They have a broad range, which I think accounts for all, or at least most, body types.
  • spicegeek
    spicegeek Posts: 325 Member
    If you are a normal build it is a reasonable indicator of a healthy weight / body fat %age

    If you are more muscular than the average female it`s skewed

    If you are very muscular - it`s worthless - my trainer is classed as obese and he is about 1% body fat
  • sassyg
    sassyg Posts: 393
    BMI is ridiculous for me. I dunno what it is about me but I'm some sort of naturally heavy or something. concrete bones maybe? LOL. this photo of me here, i'm "obese" in that photo - and wearing a size 6-8US
    I don't pay BMI any attention personally, other than for a laugh.
  • lraymond558
    lraymond558 Posts: 30
    it is honestly a crock of ****. i have been under or just on the border of under my whole life and my doctor says it is perfectly fine as long as i maintain my strength. as well, someone can have a high body weight but be pure muscle pretty much. thats not unhealthy. you will be able to tell when your organs are being over driven, trust me. you know your body better than anyone else !
  • emdeegan
    emdeegan Posts: 219 Member
    Although I am tall, I have a small to medium frame and think my BMI is super important. Currently I am on the high end of being "average/healthy" and look it. When in the mid range, I not only look better but feel better. I use it as another means to check my progress, other than a scale or tape measure.
  • theidarisafa
    theidarisafa Posts: 46
    BMI calculated with just weight+height is not a good indicator of anything.

    When tested in other ways, it's a general indication of a healthy range.

    A homeless man who has low body fat can look ripped. In fact, he is unhealthy and living on the street. Same thing for a drug addict.

    So, having low body fat is a sign of starvation. However, having a "healthy" bmi is a sign of good health.

    Keep in mind that body fat is there for a reason. Excess is a problematic. See if you can get it read at a health club with a hand held device.

    My scale at home said 30+%. more accurate at the gym was 20%.

    Much happier. Within 15lbs of fat of my goal.
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    In my opinion it is completely useless.
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