BMI for African Americans/Blacks/Browns

BMI absolutely has to do with race, for the mere fact that is averages race out. The index accounts for an "average" American, throwing out highs, lows, and racial/genetic tendencies. It is well documented that Black/Latino women thicker in the thighs, hips, butt, and waist. And they can weigh more than a White woman of similar heath characteristics and STILL be considered healthy.

it's te equivillent of YOU, a bottom thick black woman, stepping on a scale wearing ankle & wrist weights and a bottom thin white woman stepping on the same scale naked. You're weigh-in is skewed from the jump.

I say throw out BMI, and keep your vitals level with all that thickness!!!!

Agreeing with all that BMI isn't the best indicator of whether you're healthy and fit or not. There are studies that show that different races have different BMIs but have the same body fat percentage, which is a better indicator.

http://www.halls.md/bmi/race.htm

So from this study, it does seem like Black people have a higher healthy BMI than white people, which I believe what most BMI standards are based on.

I like when people back up their opinions with facts. Well written.

I agree that BMI calculations suck, it doesn't account for a lot of things, but honestly, I feel like a lot of women of color like to use our uniquely shaped/proportioned bodies as excuses to remain overweight and unhealthy. *Don't pull out your guns and pitch forks nah!* Yes, Black women are more curvy and volumptuous than other women but that line between healthy-curvy and unhealthy-curvy is very thin! I think that we need to find a way to maintain our culturally defined curves without sacrificing/neglecting our health. And yes, there are a lot of Black men who like thicker women but sadly, those are the same women who are suffering with hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, diabetes, heart problems, and a shortened lifespan. We need to stop being complacent with these socially acceptable standards for our health and well-being when they bear harmful and costly consequences.

~Tasha~

By American Standards I am 2.3% overweight, I should be weighing around 155, which means I need 2 lose about 20 lbs...I weighed 174.2, BMI was 27.3, BP was 110/74, Total Cholesterol was 117, HDL 58, nonHDL 59, Glucose 73, my fat was 41.2%, I am suppose to be in a range of 21-33%, Fat Mass was 71.81, suppose 2 be 27.2-50.41 range & they said I shud eat 1565 to maintain my weight...EXCUSE ME, BUT WHERE IS THE AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK & BROWN FOLKS BODY MASS INDEX LOCATED??? Cuz the folks in the south say Im a HEALTHY weight & I think I nd 2 create anotha type of BMI!!!!!!!! I am heavy in the hips & thighs & I think I look good just like I am, these standards are so not realistic!!!! BMI 4 Blacks is a need, we are circumferenced different!!!!!

I don't think you should focus on race...

you should focus on build

there are three types if I am not mistaken

Small, Medium, Large Frame

What frame are you...

There are people from all races with all types of frames


I like to edit to add.

As a black man...I am jealous of white men Calves..

Damnit!

BMI is a crock of $hitscum. You want to go off of Body Fat Percentage.

I suggest using the US Navy measuring.
http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

Ensure that you measure correctly,

Agreeing with all that BMI isn't the best indicator of whether you're healthy and fit or not. There are studies that show that different races have different BMIs but have the same body fat percentage, which is a better indicator.

http://www.halls.md/bmi/race.htm

So from this study, it does seem like Black people have a higher healthy BMI than white people, which I believe what most BMI standards are based on.

I like when people back up their opinions with facts. Well written.

Holy crap!!! I had no idea that it was based on white folk!... doh! I'm glad I read this thread. Thanks for putting it out there.... but It's pretty useless tool anyways, right? It doesn't account for things like muscle mass, bone density, etc. I think according to BMI, buff meaty men might fall into the "obese" category just because their weight is so high (even though it's all muscle!).

Bump

BMI is a crock of $hitscum. You want to go off of Body Fat Percentage.

I suggest using the US Navy measuring.
http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

Ensure that you measure correctly,

^this=yes.

Black people in the South don't need their own standard of measurement. Just...no.

What is culturally acceptable/attractive has naught to do with fitness.

Another issue with BMI is Black muscle and bone density is higher than White, that would add some mass.

Had an ex who said this was (partly) why there were no top black swimmers, although her main argument was the chlorine damaged her hair. All generalisations of course, I'm pasty white and can't swim a stroke.

Agreeing with all that BMI isn't the best indicator of whether you're healthy and fit or not. There are studies that show that different races have different BMIs but have the same body fat percentage, which is a better indicator.

http://www.halls.md/bmi/race.htm

So from this study, it does seem like Black people have a higher healthy BMI than white people, which I believe what most BMI standards are based on.

An interesting article. I'm not to hung up on BMI. I remember what my best weight was, and I know where I need to go. I'd rather just stick with the old reliable pounds and inches. That said, I have always been more muscular that other white gals my age. I cannot get to the weight indicated at the low end of the BMI. Even in my 20s when I was skinny and ran several times weekly, that number was impossible for me. So forget the charts. When others start checkin out your body, you'll know your BMI is just right.

There have been studies stating european and asian women are more likely to have osteoporosis because of lower bone density, so maybe you are supposed to weigh more? I don't really know. I tend to avoid doctors that put a lot of stock in your health based on your ethnicity; it almost killed my mother twice. She's A negative, my brother and I are O positive, and each time she had to tell the doctors to give her the shot post birth. >.<

I like to edit to add.

As a black man...I am jealous of white men Calves..

Damnit!

Please don't be jealous!!!! White dudes calves are usually too thin unless they DO something about it!

Love your body

I love skinny white boy calves, lol. Speaking of, one of my white friends was laughing at me because my legs are whiter than his, and I'm Latino.