BMI Question and confusion?

armywife26
armywife26 Posts: 92 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
So with my weight between 155-160 on any given day my BMI is 27.5-28.3 on the HIGH END of overweight. Now don't get me wrong I don't like the way I look by any means and want to lose 30-35lbs but I also don't see myself as overweight either. SO the question can you really go by that or is there something else that makes more sense and gives a better idea of what is really going on.

This is me at 175 and 155
2011-06-14104226-1.jpg

Replies

  • chellekoren
    chellekoren Posts: 273 Member
    I've read that BMI is not a good gauge when you have muscle content. You don't look overweight to me, so I'm guessing you have some muscle skewing the numbers.
  • nickiog
    nickiog Posts: 187 Member
    yeah a better guide i think is the body fat index insted of body mass index... like this

    http://www.active.com/fitness/calculators/bodyfat.htm
  • giammarcor
    giammarcor Posts: 217 Member
    The BMI isnt a be all/end all. I've made the comparison in the past to certain football players who are in the 5'7" range and weight over 220 lbs. Their BMI would be off the charts on the obese side, but the reality is, they are rock solid and totally lean, so there is no way they are overweight. Those of us that aren't professional athletes can use it as a guide, but don't put a lot of stock into it.
  • CaptainMFP
    CaptainMFP Posts: 440 Member
    As a biology professor, I've always been skeptical of putting too much stock in the BMI. It is little more than a height-to-weight ratio that does not differentiate between fat and muscle well (as already noted above) and doesn't account for variations in body shape very well. (For example, I am definitely overweight but have naturally large, muscular legs. In order to get to normal weight according to the BMI, I would need to lose another 38 pounds at a minimum which no one I know sees me losing and looking healthy.) On the other hand, the BMI is not a bad barometer of being overweight and especially obese, but as your health/weight improve I think it should be taken with a grain of salt. In the end, an ideal personal weight is best decided between you and your doctor.
  • CaptainMFP
    CaptainMFP Posts: 440 Member
    yeah a better guide i think is the body fat index insted of body mass index... like this

    http://www.active.com/fitness/calculators/bodyfat.htm

    I second this!
  • miriamtorason
    miriamtorason Posts: 208 Member
    For those recommending the Body Fat Index: I see it asks for a waist measurement. Is it looking for the waist at the navel, or is it looking for the "natural waist" measurement?
  • armywife26
    armywife26 Posts: 92 Member
    yeah a better guide i think is the body fat index insted of body mass index... like this

    http://www.active.com/fitness/calculators/bodyfat.htm

    So I did this and it says 32 so does anyone know what that means???????
  • armywife26
    armywife26 Posts: 92 Member
    bump
This discussion has been closed.

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