Has bmi range changed?

I always thought a healthy bmi ranged from 20-25 but now lots of websites (nhs included) seem to be saying 18.5-25 is ok.
Can I check other peoples understanding of this?
I’m currently 20.8 and thought I would have to maintain at 20 but if this is the case maybe I can go lower and still be a healthy weight?
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Replies

  • Kdp2015
    Kdp2015 Posts: 519 Member
    It just seems odd tha the others (overweight, obese etc) are in 5s.
    So I can assume 18.5-20 is still healthy?
  • Kdp2015
    Kdp2015 Posts: 519 Member
    I’m 5’10, not really sure how I’d describe my build - quite small I guess.
  • CarvedTones
    CarvedTones Posts: 2,340 Member
    Kdp2015 wrote: »
    I always thought a healthy bmi ranged from 20-25 but now lots of websites (nhs included) seem to be saying 18.5-25 is ok.
    Can I check other peoples understanding of this?
    I’m currently 20.8 and thought I would have to maintain at 20 but if this is the case maybe I can go lower and still be a healthy weight?

    you might want to look at your body fat and composition rather than just scale weight as you're right in the middle of a healthy BMI

    I would say low end for 5'10" as below 20 is mostly for shorter people. Studies I have seen on longevity indicate that below 20 is less healthy than the same difference above 25.
  • Kdp2015
    Kdp2015 Posts: 519 Member
    I’m 145 atm I’ve been 135 before and didn’t feel too thin (I think that put me at 19.3 bmi) I think I’ve got at least 7lbs to go before the excess fat goes although I do have a bit more muscle now than when I was 135.
  • Kdp2015
    Kdp2015 Posts: 519 Member
    It was 2 years ago I was around 140