BMI for African Americans/Blacks/Browns

victoria4321 · June 2012

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By American Standards I am 2.3% overweight,

Because if Americans are known for one thing, it's for being too thin.

:laugh:

onedayillbeamilf · June 2012

Good grief!

dhoody · June 2012

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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!!!!

I totally agree. We are eating right to be healthy; not to get rid of our curves. You will be surprised how many men LOVE these curves (all types)

I must re-state Curves are awesome keep it healthy but leave the Curves

lol

Shayztar · June 2012

I am ever so slightly offended reading this thread. I've been told I've got a "black girl" physique before. I was like WTF? Cause I'm pear shaped? I don't really get it? Then this post is all like, black woman have a higher BMI because of their ethnicity? Because they have less fat but weigh more? The OP does sound more like a Fat Acceptance message rather than a BMI issue. Cause everything is bigger in the south? Sigh. I need off the forums for the night.

Shayztar · June 2012

Hmm. Maybe I should say HIGH FIVE TO MYSELF!! I'm not over weight anymore

if I was black!!!

ElizabethRoad · June 2012

Cuz the folks in the south say Im a HEALTHY weight... I think I look good just like I am

Last time I checked, healthy weight isn't based on whether people find you attractive. It's not about looking good, it's about being healthy. Do you know how prevalent heart disease is among African Americans? But you're suggesting that you should be "allowed" more body fat because you like the way it looks.

clover5 · June 2012

You are beautiful with your CURVES! Wear them with PRIDE!!

Agreed. OP you have a lovely smile and an attractive figure. Go forth in the world and be you're beautiful self!

bathsheba_c · June 2012

I think BMI is perfectly acceptable . . . as a starting point. It is useful for doctors to be able to show their patient a chart that says, "You are 5'5". It is healthy for women your height to be up to 150 lbs. You are 175 lbs. Do something about it."

BMI may be overused, fit people with big muscles being the obvious example, but it isn't useless. FWIW, I have big hips and muscular legs, but I find that the BMI range is pretty accurate for me. When I crossed into the healthy range, I still had about 10 lbs to lose (though I want to try for 15, and could do so healthily).

victoria4321 · June 2012

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You are beautiful with your CURVES! Wear them with PRIDE!!

Agreed. OP you have a lovely smile and an attractive figure. Go forth in the world and be you're beautiful self!

What's this have to do with anything?

RonSwanson66 · June 2012

I like to edit to add.

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

Damnit!

Best way to grow calves: get fat for about 10 years.

victoria4321 · June 2012

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There is no such thing as an average person... that's the point. There are averages across large numbers of people... or there is an individual person. The BMI is wrong as a tool for individual diagnosis, it is right when used for what it is designed for.. ie making assessments across big groups of people. I don't know how anyone who has actually read any information about the history, purpose or usuage of the BMI can claim otherwise. I am confused as to why you think it is relevant, again, to say that people who do not like the use of the BMI in an innappropriate way are usually overweight? Again I say, even overweight people can make intelligent assessments about things you know.

Not to be rude, but do you know what average means?

All these measurements, bmi, body fat, bmr, etc, are given in a range to account for differences between people. BMI is a tool, not the only tool. You're supposed to use a combination of tools to get a good estimate. That said, i still think its a pretty good tool.

I don't think everyone who doesn't like it is overweight, but I think the majority of people with a problem with it just so happen to be overweight. That's why it bothers them so much. If you're a few pounds overweight, then no biggie. People in this thread are telling a women with 41% body fat (not meaning to pick on the OP, but its the example at hand) that the BMI scales are useless. If she's over fat on more than one health scale are you going to just start saying they're all wrong? That's a little ridiculous.

Yep I'm pretty comfortable with the definition of average. Let me give you an example, say we were talking about average rainfall over a month period and we categorise a daily average of over 1 inch as "wet". Therefore if the month of May had an average daily rainfall of 1.1inch, it would be accurate to say that May was a "wet" month. However it is simply not accurate to then say that Tuesday the 2nd of May was a wet day just from that information. You could only make that assessment based on the data of that day alone.

The OP has provided us with data about her alone, ie her BF%, therefore the BMI is irrelevant. BF% and BMI are not equal tools in my eyes. One is accurate personal data and makes the other superfluous.

Also I don't think anyone was telling the OP that because the BMI is useless, that means she is not overweight.

I am also curious if you read the article I posted.

I didn't say they're equal tools, I said they're both useful. About the article you posted, tl;dr

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo · June 2012

I am ever so slightly offended reading this thread. I've been told I've got a "black girl" physique before. I was like WTF? Cause I'm pear shaped? I don't really get it? Then this post is all like, black woman have a higher BMI because of their ethnicity? Because they have less fat but weigh more? The OP does sound more like a Fat Acceptance message rather than a BMI issue. Cause everything is bigger in the south? Sigh. I need off the forums for the night.

Race also make a difference in BMI. Asians have lower BMIs because of their lighter bone density while Blacks have slightly higer BMI because of the heavier bone density. Which is why there is an Asian BMI standard. However there is no such thing as "black girl physique", a pear-shaped body exists in all races.

cloud2011 · June 2012

Race or ethnicity has little to do with it, but lately I've heard that waist size, not BMI, is going to be the gold standard.

TyFit08 · June 2012

We all know BMI isn't the end all be all, but in the posters case it was correct. 41% bodyfat is overweght, plain and simple Now Serena Williams is about your height and weight and her BMI would surely say she is overweight, but her body fat percentage would tell a different story.

I am not trying to offend anyone here, but the truth is African Americans are more likely to die from Diabetes complications, Heart Disease and Stroke than anyone else, and guess what is the root cause, being overweight. Now being a little overweight might not seem like much, but still its a risk. I have family from the South and I so sick of black folks using curves as an excuse to be unhealthy and overweight. If we needed a different BMI chart, it should be stricter just so we get the picture, because way too many of us are to lax about weight. Most of my adult life I was a size 6 and was hippy, now I'm a 12 and I'm still hippy. If you are built a certain way, its not just going to disappear just because you lose a few lbs. In fact it looked better when I was smaller because it was easier to find clothes that fit both my hips and waist.

victoria4321 · June 2012

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I am ever so slightly offended reading this thread. I've been told I've got a "black girl" physique before. I was like WTF? Cause I'm pear shaped? I don't really get it? Then this post is all like, black woman have a higher BMI because of their ethnicity? Because they have less fat but weigh more? The OP does sound more like a Fat Acceptance message rather than a BMI issue. Cause everything is bigger in the south? Sigh. I need off the forums for the night.

Race also make a difference in BMI. Asians have lower BMIs because of their lighter bone density while Blacks have slightly higer BMI because of the heavier bone density. Which is why there is an Asian BMI standard. However there is no such thing as "black girl physique", a pear-shaped body exists in all races.

Uhmmmm hello have you seen nicki minaj? That's how a "black girl physique" looks

Nataliaho · June 2012

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There is no such thing as an average person... that's the point. There are averages across large numbers of people... or there is an individual person. The BMI is wrong as a tool for individual diagnosis, it is right when used for what it is designed for.. ie making assessments across big groups of people. I don't know how anyone who has actually read any information about the history, purpose or usuage of the BMI can claim otherwise. I am confused as to why you think it is relevant, again, to say that people who do not like the use of the BMI in an innappropriate way are usually overweight? Again I say, even overweight people can make intelligent assessments about things you know.

Not to be rude, but do you know what average means?

All these measurements, bmi, body fat, bmr, etc, are given in a range to account for differences between people. BMI is a tool, not the only tool. You're supposed to use a combination of tools to get a good estimate. That said, i still think its a pretty good tool.

I don't think everyone who doesn't like it is overweight, but I think the majority of people with a problem with it just so happen to be overweight. That's why it bothers them so much. If you're a few pounds overweight, then no biggie. People in this thread are telling a women with 41% body fat (not meaning to pick on the OP, but its the example at hand) that the BMI scales are useless. If she's over fat on more than one health scale are you going to just start saying they're all wrong? That's a little ridiculous.

Yep I'm pretty comfortable with the definition of average. Let me give you an example, say we were talking about average rainfall over a month period and we categorise a daily average of over 1 inch as "wet". Therefore if the month of May had an average daily rainfall of 1.1inch, it would be accurate to say that May was a "wet" month. However it is simply not accurate to then say that Tuesday the 2nd of May was a wet day just from that information. You could only make that assessment based on the data of that day alone.

The OP has provided us with data about her alone, ie her BF%, therefore the BMI is irrelevant. BF% and BMI are not equal tools in my eyes. One is accurate personal data and makes the other superfluous.

Also I don't think anyone was telling the OP that because the BMI is useless, that means she is not overweight.

I am also curious if you read the article I posted.

I didn't say they're equal tools, I said they're both useful. About the article you posted, tl;dr

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, I don't think that the BMI is a useful tool for individual assesment at all. Considering the inventors feel the same way, I'm pretty comfortable with that opinion.

dhoody · June 2012

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lol you right its different in the south especially with black women...you do like pretty good I agree

BMI may or may not be different between races, but geographic location has nothing to do with it. How healthy you are has nothing to do with others' perceptions.

Trust me it does in Jacksonville Fl....the women here feel that slight obesity is ok here they call it THICK...they are fine with it because their MAN likes it no concern for their health...maybe location has not to do with it but Perception definitely does

lau444 · June 2012

I'm surprised that BMI is still used so widely to measure health since its such a flawed equation.

I go by:
waist circumference
BP/RHR
Blood sugar
Cholesterol
BF%
muscle mass

BMI can make an perfectly fit person seem unhealthy, but none of these numbers lie.

Melonhead · June 2012

My issue with the BMI boils down to this. I'm 6'3" and weigh 255 pounds, about the same as your average NFL linebacker. Our BMI's are the same. But guess what, guys like Ray Lewis are ripped and I am not. He's "obese" like me, according to the numbers. So, I'm just going to pay attention to my percent body fat and not worry about the BMI.

victoria4321 · June 2012

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lol you right its different in the south especially with black women...you do like pretty good I agree

BMI may or may not be different between races, but geographic location has nothing to do with it. How healthy you are has nothing to do with others' perceptions.

Trust me it does in Jacksonville Fl....the women here feel that slight obesity is ok here they call it THICK...they are fine with it because their MAN likes it no concern for their health...maybe location has not to do with it but Perception definitely does

I'll agree with this that the perception is different. Not always with geographic location but amongst certain ethnic groups. I have Asian friends that get way more flack from their family for being a few pounds over weight but my black friends would say they're just thick.

Slight obesity is never okay though. It doesn't take that much extra weight to put you at risk for a lot of diseases. That's why I'm all for doctors using multiple tools to gauge what's healthy. Even if a person is at the higher end of "healthy" on a bmi scale, unless they train very hard its highly unlikely that its all muscle. I'm pretty muscular, I played a lot of sports and lift weights but it wouldn't hurt me to lose some weight either. Yes I'm also still within a healthy bmi range. Now I'm not using myself as an example for everyone I'm just saying in the majority of cases it wouldn't hurt most people to lose 10 or so lbs. You'll still be "thick" and still have your curves. You'll just be a little lighter

victoria4321 · June 2012

My issue with the BMI boils down to this. I'm 6'3" and weigh 255 pounds, about the same as your average NFL linebacker. Our BMI's are the same. But guess what, guys like Ray Lewis are ripped and I am not. He's "obese" like me, according to the numbers. So, I'm just going to pay attention to my percent body fat and not worry about the BMI.

Ray Lewis is a professional athlete, you are not. Sorry.

Melonhead · June 2012

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My issue with the BMI boils down to this. I'm 6'3" and weigh 255 pounds, about the same as your average NFL linebacker. Our BMI's are the same. But guess what, guys like Ray Lewis are ripped and I am not. He's "obese" like me, according to the numbers. So, I'm just going to pay attention to my percent body fat and not worry about the BMI.

Ray Lewis is a professional athlete, you are not. Sorry.

I realize that. I was using that as an example of why the BMI can be misleading. Ray Lewis is in amazing shape. But if you gave someone both of our sets of numbers in a blinded test and said figure the BMI's - well, you have two obese men.....which is clearly not the case.

Shayztar · June 2012

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I am ever so slightly offended reading this thread. I've been told I've got a "black girl" physique before. I was like WTF? Cause I'm pear shaped? I don't really get it? Then this post is all like, black woman have a higher BMI because of their ethnicity? Because they have less fat but weigh more? The OP does sound more like a Fat Acceptance message rather than a BMI issue. Cause everything is bigger in the south? Sigh. I need off the forums for the night.

Race also make a difference in BMI. Asians have lower BMIs because of their lighter bone density while Blacks have slightly higer BMI because of the heavier bone density. Which is why there is an Asian BMI standard. However there is no such thing as "black girl physique", a pear-shaped body exists in all races.

THANKS! I read the link from the first page quoting the study. I was being sarcastic. I am pear and am white. :laugh:

victoria4321 · June 2012

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My issue with the BMI boils down to this. I'm 6'3" and weigh 255 pounds, about the same as your average NFL linebacker. Our BMI's are the same. But guess what, guys like Ray Lewis are ripped and I am not. He's "obese" like me, according to the numbers. So, I'm just going to pay attention to my percent body fat and not worry about the BMI.

Ray Lewis is a professional athlete, you are not. Sorry.

I realize that. I was using that as an example of why the BMI can be misleading. Ray Lewis is in amazing shape. But if you gave someone both of our sets of numbers in a blinded test and said figure the BMI's - well, you have two obese men.....which is clearly not the case.

That's why doctors ask you about your activity :noway:

If you walk in there and you look over weight then the bmi scale is probably a good range of where you should be around. If you walked in looking jacked and fit, they won't even check your bmi.

Cortx · June 2012

i don't know but I do know race don't have nothing to do with a persons BMI.

Nataliaho · June 2012

That is precisely why I think it is useless. On one hand people can use its inaccuracy for others, to tell themselves that they are not overweight. On the other hand it can tell other people (like me) that no matter how they live their life, no matter how fit they are, no matter their health, they will never be 'normal' or 'healthy'. Oh and then you also have people who are completely unhealthly, but 'normal' weight who don't have to question or act on their lifestyle.

Shayztar · June 2012

That is precisely why I think it is useless. On one hand people can use its inaccuracy for others, to tell themselves that they are not overweight. On the other hand it can tell other people (like me) that no matter how they live their life, no matter how fit they are, no matter their health, they will never be 'normal' or 'healthy'. Oh and then you also have people who are completely unhealthly, but 'normal' weight who don't have to question or act on their lifestyle.

That's why I'm going to pretend I'm Polynesian from now on. Safest bet.

Melonhead · June 2012

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My issue with the BMI boils down to this. I'm 6'3" and weigh 255 pounds, about the same as your average NFL linebacker. Our BMI's are the same. But guess what, guys like Ray Lewis are ripped and I am not. He's "obese" like me, according to the numbers. So, I'm just going to pay attention to my percent body fat and not worry about the BMI.

Ray Lewis is a professional athlete, you are not. Sorry.

I realize that. I was using that as an example of why the BMI can be misleading. Ray Lewis is in amazing shape. But if you gave someone both of our sets of numbers in a blinded test and said figure the BMI's - well, you have two obese men.....which is clearly not the case.

That's why doctors ask you about your activity :noway:

If you walk in there and you look over weight then the bmi scale is probably a good range of where you should be around. If you walked in looking jacked and fit, they won't even check your bmi.
[/quote

Ummm, I'm fat and I know it. That's why I'm here! I just though the topic was interesting.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo · June 2012

i don't know but I do know race don't have nothing to do with a persons BMI.

Yes there is. If you're Asian, your BMI is lower but that doesn't automatically mean healthy because Asians in general have lower bone density & carry high percentage of body fat which is why they look smaller yet soft & weigh less. I'm in an Asian country & here there is a different set of BMI standard used, its Asian BMI standard which is skewed. If your BMI is 27, you're considered obese & if your BMI is 23, you're already considered overweight. Being a Latina, I weigh more than the typical demographics here although my body fat percentage is lower but as per Asian BMI standards, I'm "overweight". I'm also pear-shaped by the way although my thighs have gap because of weight lifting.

Nataliaho · June 2012

So such a useful tool can be immediately over-ruled by a doctor simply eyeballing his patient... ok:noway:

BMI for African Americans/Blacks/Browns

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