BMI Calculator and FDA Height to Weight Ratio BS

Wolferocks2 · May 2012

In the military I always had to have a weight waiver. My height of 5' 11" according to government (FDA) standards was that my maximum weight should only have been 197 lbs. My waiver was always for 250 pounds. The waiver took into account extreme weight training which of course, helped to add on many pounds of muscle weight. I would always have to undress for the medical examiner. This examiner would then look at the physique, take waiste and neck measurements and say, "No problem for your waiver Sergeant. His fat calopers would indicate 16% bodyfat at 250 pounds.

Today, there is the BMI Calculator. I am currently at 278 pounds and according to this calculator, I have a BMI of 38. If you check the scale for BMI, this number is in the OBESE category. Now consider this point: Neither the FDA Height to Weight ratio nor the BMI calculator take into consideration one's body composition.

FFS! Is all I have to say about it. One more point: My company has drastic reductions for health insurance costs for employees. The reduction rate is dependent soley upon BMI, heart rate, cholesterol counts, blood pressure, etc. My blood pressure is 115/68 and my resting heart rate is 54. Im 278 and have a BMI of 38 (Obeses on the chart) Because of the BMI being so inconclusive regarding my body composition, I cannot receive the health insurance premium reduction.

Thanks to the health industry and the government for wearing blinders and not taking into consideration that some people are heavy but have a body compositon and health indicators (Cholesterol, BP, Heart rate, etc) that are suitable for the individual. :mad:

ctalimenti · May 2012

OMG that's horrible. Go to your doc and have him write a letter or some type of waiver. For most people, BMI is completely reliable because it's the small minority that weight lift. Docs can take one look at your body and tell if you work out as well.

kymarai · May 2012

A friend of mine just ran into the same thing! I had just commented that he was losing too much weight, I know he has been under a lot of stress, when they did a health day at his work. The BMI chart put him borderline overweight! I am like where? He too lifts and has a great body. We are all different, Thank God!, so therefore a chart, diet, lifestyle is not perfect for everyone. Great job on your getting healthier!

VMarkV · May 2012

BMI is a horrible indicator for not accounting for leanbody mass, waist/height/hip ratios are much better

cavewoman15 · May 2012

i'm sorry about your company's policies. that is super lame. they do the same thing with age, but all of these things are just heuristics for them to gauge lots of people easily - they don't care about individuals.

sgarrard01 · May 2012

I do agree with you whole heartedly!, but it's the companies (and doctors) misuse of the BMI charts... the only things they are ment for is children under 16, adults with a poor fitness diet/no real lean mass and OAP's.... Not being biased, its FACT, its what they were designed for!, but hey... there easy so people will keep on using them incorrectly.

Darlingir · May 2012

Does not count frame....small, med, large

saxmaniac · May 2012

Think of it this way - by being in shape, you're saving more in medical expenses than you would save in premiums. Sometimes the extra bucks is worth it.

Jacwhite22 · May 2012

In the military I always had to have a weight waiver. My height of 5' 11" according to government (FDA) standards was that my maximum weight should only have been 197 lbs. My waiver was always for 250 pounds. The waiver took into account extreme weight training which of course, helped to add on many pounds of muscle weight. I would always have to undress for the medical examiner. This examiner would then look at the physique, take waiste and neck measurements and say, "No problem for your waiver Sergeant. His fat calopers would indicate 16% bodyfat at 250 pounds.

Today, there is the BMI Calculator. I am currently at 278 pounds and according to this calculator, I have a BMI of 38. If you check the scale for BMI, this number is in the OBESE category. Now consider this point: Neither the FDA Height to Weight ratio nor the BMI calculator take into consideration one's body composition.

FFS! Is all I have to say about it. One more point: My company has drastic reductions for health insurance costs for employees. The reduction rate is dependent soley upon BMI, heart rate, cholesterol counts, blood pressure, etc. My blood pressure is 115/68 and my resting heart rate is 54. Im 278 and have a BMI of 38 (Obeses on the chart) Because of the BMI being so inconclusive regarding my body composition, I cannot receive the health insurance premium reduction.

Thanks to the health industry and the government for wearing blinders and not taking into consideration that some people are heavy but have a body compositon and health indicators (Cholesterol, BP, Heart rate, etc) that are suitable for the individual. :mad:

Pics? I would love to see 5'11", 278 <20%.

19kat55 · May 2012

The sad truth is insurance companies are in business to make money. That is why they don't care anything about body composition. If they can charge you a higher rate because of your weight, they will

dmiller9911 · May 2012

My company employs the same measurements for Insurance Credits as well, but because the BMI scale is obviously flawed they allow a waist measurement to be used if BMI is not met. You may ask you company if they can use waist instead. Our insurance is through Anthem Blue Cross, so if yours is similar they may be able to use it.

sting8989 · May 2012

I went through the exact same thing when I was in the Marines. I always ran in the top 5% on a physical fittness test however when the took measurement they always said i was like 35 % body fat They claimed I should weigh like 194. I would do 20 pull ups and run a 18:50 3 mile and max out all the other test. My question to them was " How in the hell does someone that is 35% body fat do that?" I was not blessed with a thick neck and it always threw the measuements out the window. I always fit in my uniforms and never looked obese and could keep up or surpass 90% of the company no matter what the obsticle. I was SSgt. Select when I got out I decided I had had enough of the measurements and weigh ins.

UponThisRock · May 2012

Pics? I would love to see 5'11", 278 <20%.

This. I'd bet you're closer to 35%.

Unless you're an NFL center or something.

myak623 · May 2012

Pics? I would love to see 5'11", 278 <20%.

This. I'd bet you're closer to 35%.

Unless you're an NFL center or something.

Sorry, OP, but I'm in agreement with these two. The numbers just don't match up to what your are saying.

yoovie · May 2012

pics or i'm going to burn all my calories today laughing.

BrettPGH · May 2012

Seriously I'm just interested to see a pic of someone with those stats. It's blowing my mind to think someone could be only slightly taller than me, over 100lbs heavier, and still have a relatively low BF%. That would just be impressive to see. Your frame must be MASSIVE!

robbinsm000 · June 2013

The BMI as calculated with mass-height ratio in kg/m^2 is only valid for an average non heavy muscular person. You may consider this a flaw but there are other methods (more advanced) to determine the index of the non average person. You should completely ignore this BMI method, if you are muscular dense.

Corey3411 · June 2013

Sounds like your insurance company has found a loop hole to not insure people... Its all about the almighty dollar...

ruthvbailey · March 2015

I have just come across some info from Jillian Michaels newletter which indicates that the health system is now looking at the weight ratio being more appropriate that the BMI. Can you explain to me how to calculate this as jillian says you divide hip measurement by waist measurement is this really how its calculated as it is not clear to me how we work it out.

BMI Calculator and FDA Height to Weight Ratio BS

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