B.m.i

[jd_1984]

This has been discussed before I think.
How much stock do we put in a B.M.I score (Height to weight calculation)
Surely other factors that can affect the score are important
I have just had a score of nearly 29, puts me 4 pounds off mildly obese.
I am 5ft 11 but over 15 stone. I work out at the gym and build muscle, my body fat isn't particularly high, I am physically fit but I have always been broad.
I think the word "obese" and the health implications that come with being in that category have made me have a think!!

[Sipowicz]

Merry Christmas Fatty! ;-)

[jd_1984]

Haha and I haven't had a mince pie yet!!

[Jomlett]

For a bodybuilder your BMI is not an accurate representation of body fat levels or percentage. BMI uses an individual's weight, which includes both fat and muscle, and height. Therefore, bodybuilders may have a high BMI but minimal body fat. For a more accurate measure of fat, a body fat caliper or underwater weighing are better alternatives.

[jd_1984]

Thanks Jomlett.
I could be slightly fitter if I tried, I feel I have a good compromise between diet/exercise. But 4 pounds off obese just sounds wrong!

[Jomlett]

I was over 15 stone earlier this year and BODY FAT was to blame! With a similar height of 5'10" and I too was verging on obesity, with 30 on the BMI - it was made for such as me! Using the lo-carb diet I've lost over 2 stone with a reduced BMI of 26. There is a different calculation for females but not, as yet, for the superfit!

[Retrochic]

BMI score is pretty useless if you have a lot of muscle. You can get a BMI calculator for athletes on line
http://www.livestrong.com/article/15505-calculate-bmi-athletes/
One of my sons weighs 15 stone and has hardly an an ounce of fat on him -he is often mistaken for a Boxer as he works out and is very muscly. His BMI on normal calculation makes him Obese! I recently went for my BUPA M.O.T and the dreaded BMI was 27 which is overweight for my height of 5'5'' but the nurse said it was fine as my body fat was calculating at 22% which is ok for my age and being female. WEight charts are around 50 years out of date too -they were devised by an american insurance company in the 1950's based on what weight people died at!!. Looking at my weight I should weigh between 8 stone 7 and 10 stone 7 -OMG if I wieghed 8 stone 7lbs I would be no more than a skeleton with boobs lol!

[jd_1984]

My B.M.I "Range" is 9st 9 - 12st 12 (a pretty large range which only goes to reinforce how wishy washy a B.M.I score is).
If I was 9st 9 I would look anorexic and people would assume I was gravely ill. Even 12st 12 would be a real stretch for me and would require a massive effort with diet.
I am happy being 14st - 14st 6 which I have always found a good weight for me. I have had body fat measured in the past and its been 19% - 23% and I relatively fit, so sorry B.M.I I am not taking any notice

[Deskdiary]

Personally, I'd ignore BMI completely as it takes no account of body composition.

Before I became too old, I'd played rugby for years - during my playing days I was 15 stone - which at 5.11 is a hefty old weight.

Apparently I was about three stone overweight according to the BMI.

However, at the time I had a 36" waist (so not massive), my thighs were huge and I had a deep chest. I've also always been quite broad. I did not have even the merest hint of a belly.

Since I've given up rugby, and as I've got older, the weight has dropped off and I'm now 13 stone and a 34 inch waist. I still regularly exercise, and therefore am still forunate enough not to have a belly (I have to exercise becuase I'm one of those people who only have to smell a cheeseburger to put on half a stone).

My wife says I look gaunt and she's like me to put some weight on.......but, according to the BMI I'm still about a stone overweight.

As my wife says.......where exactly do 'they' expect me to lose the weight from???