BMI on MFP vs. Scale

totustuusmaria
totustuusmaria Posts: 182 Member
edited September 29 in Health and Weight Loss
I have this awesome scale that I totally trust. I don't know the name or anything as it is a family scale that is a few years old. I know... that isn't very helpful. Sorry!

On MFP it says my BMI is currently 36.8. On the scale (which supposedly measures this) it says it is 47.5.

btw, I am 5'6 & 227 lbs.

Hearing it was 47.5 was a little saddening. My family says the scale must be right... I am looking here I guess to hear "No it's not!" LOL. But, it is what it is. Any ideas on why there might be such a big difference? The scale is spot on when it comes to weight as compared to a doctor's office scale.

Replies

  • emmaleigh47
    emmaleigh47 Posts: 1,670 Member
    Are you sure the scale is measuring your BMI ... or is it measuring your body fat.
    The BMI scale on MFP is correct .. :)
  • totustuusmaria
    totustuusmaria Posts: 182 Member
    It probably is.

    Thanks for being so patient in replying! Total newb here.
  • tavery3700
    tavery3700 Posts: 42 Member
    On your old scale can you put in your height?

    Go to other sites and do your BMI. S ee which one is the closest.
  • gremlet
    gremlet Posts: 21 Member
    Yup, MFP is right!

    For the record, your BMI is your weight in kgs (sorry, I only know the metric calculation!) divided by your height in metres, squared.

    So for you:

    5'6 = 66in = 1.67m
    227lbs = 103kg

    103 divided by (1.67 x 1.67) = 36.8.

    Hope that helps!
  • gothicprophet
    gothicprophet Posts: 189
    I have a digital scale that calculates not only weight, but also % body fat and BMI. It also tells me how much weight is bone mass, which is kind of nifty. It's a "Health O'Meter BFM681DQ-63" and it's been pretty accurate when I've compared it's results to those from Dr.'s visits.
  • totustuusmaria
    totustuusmaria Posts: 182 Member
    TY guys for the responses.

    Yeah, it does allow me to put in the weight. It is one of those digital scales.

    Appreciate ya'lls input! And thanks gremlet for the explanation! Didn't know that!
  • AshDHart
    AshDHart Posts: 818 Member
    BMI is not an accurate science. It is a general calculation based on averages. http://www.google.com/search?aq=0&oq=bmi+not&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=bmi+not+accurate

    I would look at your waist to height ratio http://www.health-calc.com/body-composition/waist-to-height-ratio
    and your waist to hip ratio http://www.bmi-calculator.net/waist-to-hip-ratio-calculator/

    Another one is the US Navy body fat calculator which gives me a MUCH higher number than the BMI calculators do. http://fitness.bizcalcs.com/Calculator.asp?Calc=Body-Fat-Navy

    The following chart helps you determine if your WHtR falls in a healthy range (these ratios are percentages):

    WOMEN
    • Ratio less than 35: Abnormally Slim to Underweight
    • Ratio 35 to 42: Extremely Slim
    • Ratio 42 to 46: Healthy
    • Ratio 46 to 49: Healthy
    • Ratio 49 to 54: Overweight
    • Ratio 54 to 58: Seriously Overweight
    • Ratio over 58: Highly Obese

    Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/93638-whtr-the-new-determinant-health-risk/#ixzz1QynlQH2K
  • cheddarboy
    cheddarboy Posts: 124 Member
    BMI is horrible, period. It only takes into consideration height and bodyweight????? Alot of people have different frames (ecto/endo/meso) and carry different %'s of fat and muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat which skews everything. I would highly recommend getting a professional to do a bodyfat analysis with calipers. Even if they are off by a few % points it will give you a better idea of where you're at and what to aim for... good luck
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