Is BMI worth bothering about?

Jezebel_Barbie
Jezebel_Barbie Posts: 198 Member
edited December 17 in Health and Weight Loss
I’ve just been doing a rough working out of how long it will take me to get to my goal weight with milestones along the way, as a sort of way to motivate myself (for example, by losing 1lb a week I would have lost 2.5 stone by Christmas, about 3.5 by my next birthday, etc). I went all the way to my goal weight. After I’d done that it occurred to me to have a look at BMI and work out at which point along I’d be in the ‘healthy’ category – probably for the first time in my life!

Had a quick look and even at my goal weight I’d be considered overweight on the BMI scale. I know it’s not a perfect science and it has its flaws but I have to admit I was pretty gutted to see that. What do you guys think? Do you put much stock in BMI or just think bugger it, as long as you’re healthy, feel good and look good?

Height: 5’1”
Start weight: 15st 8lb (218lb)
Current weight: 15st 4lb (214lb)
Goal weight: 10st (140lb)

Replies

  • Ripken818836701
    Ripken818836701 Posts: 607 Member
    BMI is a joke!! According to BMI. I was obese at 6"1 & 217-218lbs. I was 213lbs in my profile pic.
  • mscoco10
    mscoco10 Posts: 527 Member
    BMI is a componet of many. I would stress to much. I look at myself. I've lost 56lbs and my BMI is still high but I thank God for all my success.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    BMI isnt worth a crap. If you have a lot of muscle, you will always be obese or overweight in BMI. Look at body fat. That is a much better indicator. For long term results, I would suggest reading the following and looking to incorprate heavy weight lifiting in your routine. Good luck.

    http://www.metaboliceffect.com/topic/38-nutrition-lifestyle.aspx
  • dancin2011
    dancin2011 Posts: 92 Member
    I would not worry about BMI. It is a guide, dated, and does not take into account different builds and body types. There are so many flaws with it really so I would not obsess over it.
  • dg09
    dg09 Posts: 754
    At my goal weight, I too would be considered overweight. So I'm not going to worry about it, I've switched my focus to BF%.

    I'm 22.6% BF right now (overweight) but my BMI is 33, still well into the obese range.
  • WeCallThemDayWalkers
    WeCallThemDayWalkers Posts: 259 Member
    I'm a little over 5'2'' and at 155 lbs I felt AMAZING. And I think I looked good. I was still 20+ lbs into the Overweight category for BMI. Screw that thing!! LOL

    It's probably best to focus on achieving a more healthy body fat percentage, whatever that may be for you. I don't think I'll ever get to 130-135 lbs recommended by the BMI.
  • jerber160
    jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
    for where I am now, lazy,losing but still heavy, the bmi seems accurate. i think it will be until I start working out...
  • Jezebel_Barbie
    Jezebel_Barbie Posts: 198 Member
    Ahh thanks guys. I will not even bother with it then :)
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Nah BMI is good for groups of people

    Body fat % is better too look at for individuals :]
  • WeCallThemDayWalkers
    WeCallThemDayWalkers Posts: 259 Member
    At my goal weight, I too would be considered overweight. So I'm not going to worry about it, I've switched my focus to BF%.

    I'm 22.6% BF right now (overweight) but my BMI is 33, still well into the obese range.

    Great illustration. Thanks for posting those numbers.
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    BMI doesn't understand that some people have muscle mass.

    I was "overweight" for my height only 5 pounds ago, but if you look at my pictures, my pants size (0-2) and my BF% 21.5 you would see that there is no way I am "overweight."

    I would say it is only a good indicator for those that have a lot of weight to lose. As kind of a goal marker. But pick a weight that you happy with, and understand that you if you have muscle mass that number may be higher than you hoped for.
  • mleipe
    mleipe Posts: 54
    I've had similar questions recently.

    I'm 5' 8", 182 lb. That puts my BMI at 27.7, well above the "ideal" of 25.0.

    My doctor keeps telling me that 175 lb. is "a good weight" for me and that's what I've been pushing for.

    Yesterday at the gym they were measuring "body composition" so I thought I'd give it a try. Turns out that my body fat percentage is 11.1%, "elite" for my age (51) according to the trainer that was doing the measurements.

    So... based on this it looks like I'm pretty much good at the weight I'm at - what gives, then, with the BMI and my doctor's target?
  • Chipmaniac
    Chipmaniac Posts: 642 Member
    Four years ago I lost fifty pounds and got down to the top of my BMI "normal" range. I was too skinny. It's funny because I never intended to lose that much weight but I had become so good at shedding the pounds that I figured I'd lose the extra 10 pounds to reach what the doctors said I should weigh at the most. I was too light.

    I've always weighed heavy for what I look like. People often are shocked when I tell them what I weigh. It's been this way since Junior High. I don't know if my bones are heavy or what as I'm certainly not muscle-bound or beefy. Needless to say, I'm not worrying about BMI this time.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    BMI is a very generalized tool. But to be perfectly honest, in my experience most people who rate as overweight or obese per the BMI usually are.

    I feel that the BMI is a little too low for me. It doesn't take into account smaller builds.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    Ahh thanks guys. I will not even bother with it then :)

    It's so easy to calculate you might as well. It's one more piece of information. I would focus, however, on your body fat percentage.
  • coconutbuNZ
    coconutbuNZ Posts: 578 Member
    BMI is a joke!! According to BMI. I was obese at 6"1 & 217-218lbs. I was 213lbs in my profile pic.

    I agree! My goal weight that I "should be" aiming for according to BMI is ridiculously low. I know what weight I'm comfortable at and that is what I will aim for.
  • Ripken818836701
    Ripken818836701 Posts: 607 Member
    I've had similar questions recently.

    I'm 5' 8", 182 lb. That puts my BMI at 27.7, well above the "ideal" of 25.0.

    My doctor keeps telling me that 175 lb. is "a good weight" for me and that's what I've been pushing for.

    Yesterday at the gym they were measuring "body composition" so I thought I'd give it a try. Turns out that my body fat percentage is 11.1%, "elite" for my age (51) according to the trainer that was doing the measurements.

    So... based on this it looks like I'm pretty much good at the weight I'm at - what gives, then, with the BMI and my doctor's target?
    Getting your BF% measured at your gym by a trainer isnt an acurrate way to measure your BF% , the only way to do it is by a body scan or a water displacement test (though Im not familiar with it) If your Dr. said to shoot for 175lbs I would trust his opinion.
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