powpow

Another thread inspired me to go check my BMI:

https://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

At 5'10 and 163 my BMI is 23.4, which is within the "normal range."

So I kept lowering the weight to see how low I could go and still be in "normal weight":

5'10, 129 pounds is still considered normal? If I lost 35 pounds right now, I would look like a sickly, sickly person. When I was at 155 I felt and looked too skinny.

With absolutely no input for muscle vs. fat contributing to the weight, why is the government so insistent upon using this flawed system?

Do they really think that, since our country has an obesity problem, using these skewed numbers will change anything?

2cyl

Funny you mention that. I'm 5-7 157 and right at the top of the normal range. I was telling my wife that if I dropped another 20 I would still be in the normal range.

Flawed, so flawed.

macd

What a joke BMI is. I scored 23.9 and I am 5-7% body fat. If I get any skinnier I will be in the hospital.

terrymorse 

I'm 5'11", 135 lbs. Also normal.

The BMI covers a broad range of body types. Being in the "normal" range doesn't mean you're healthy. But being outside the range means it's very likely you're not at a healthy weight. Body builders excepted.

AEO

That chart is overly simple, agreed, but I think it's simple because most people would be overwhelmed with trying to get other data without going to a center which can measure stuff like total body displacement, muscle % and fat %, etc.

The whole idea is to let people get a general idea of where they fall in. Fit people know they're fit and they also know BMI doesn't mean much.

I measure out to 170cm with 58~59kg or 20.4 BMI, but I know I'm fit.

aham23

like some others have mentioned, BMI is for the dumb. for the majority of americans that are over weight. they can punch in some general numbers and get the most obvious result possible, they are FAT.

later.

GodsBassist

5'9" at 125 pounds got me RIGHT at 18.5. It says you have to be less than 18.5 to be underweight so as long as I don't sweat or poop I should be ok.

datlas 

I think we can all agree that BMI has limited usefulness, especially amongst cyclists who tend to be more in touch with their health, and might even know their body fat %. It is more useful as a screening tool for populations, all one needs is a tape measure and a scale to calculate it.

It does not take into account frame or body type, and thus has limited use. A more meaningful measurement is body fat percentage, but this requires special equipment.

Doug
BMI 20 Body fat % ??

probable556

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistics

ivegotabike

Im 6' 2" 155, ive got 4 inches of height on you and weigh less than you, but im not unhealthy. I think that the normal range is pretty reasonable, that said, its possible to be in the obese range and be pure muscle and in the normal range and be a weak fat guy.

kmac27

5'9 170 lbs bmi of 25. The bmi is not an accurate calculator for active people. The bmi is most accurate on people who get about 2000 steps a day with no extra excercisel. Cholesterol, blood pressure and body fat testing are far superior to the bmi.

Psimet2001 

It says I'm fat.

Psimet2001 

Can I go eat cake now?

Ritterview

The BMI for some reason is androgynous, as if men and women of the same height are supposed to weigh the same. Mrs. Ritterview is 5'10" and weighs 130, and she looks great!.

pseudobrit

The thing is that 90% of Americans are fat, so we need a numerical mechanism that tells 90% of the population they're fat. The odd musclehead gets upset, but why? If you know you're not fat why would you be upset that someone else says you are? (that's about half rhetorical there)

CastIron

Certainly. Don't dare post a photo. Can't pick on the fat kids, ya know.

BMI is an antiquated statistical model. I think it's only valid in minor epidemiological uses these days.

Psimet2001 

I get upset when I go into a doctor and they say that I am overweight - obese - because they're reading my chart and looking at theirs. A couple of times I've challenged then to put their resting HR and blood pressure against mine right then.

...but don't get me started about doctors that stick only to what the guidelines ae without any regard to the actual patient sitting in front of them....

wfrogge

nom nom nom

Kimbercop

I'm 6'2 and when I went to the Police Academy in 1987 they measured my elbow and wrists and came up with 210 as my max weight. I graduated the academy at 210. My wife said I was too skinny then. 210 for me is a BMI of 27 (obese). I have since ballooned up, but am currently 30+ pounds lighter since Jan 1st. My goal is 220 which is still a BMI of 28.2 and 25 pounds away. Screw the BMI, Us overweight people know when we're fat. We cant all be wafer thin

aham23

any doc that looks at you and still calls you fat (not phat) is a dumb arse. i would get a new doc. later.

bbkmeeks

BMI....dont worry about it

Youngin

I scored a 17.6. Anyone want to donate some fat?

ridethecliche

Why does make them dumb? The fact that there's willing to point out something that's potentially a problem?

I'm not pointing this out to anyone specifically, but I don't understand why people are so offended if a doctor points out that there might be something wrong with their weight. Resting HR doesn't say everything...

Psimet2001 

aham...thanks

Like most cyclists I am quickly developing a massive body image problem. The lighter I get the fatter I feel.

RTC - aham is saying that because he knows me. I'm not saying I am not fat, but compared to the normal population I would be on the thinner side.

Pictures don't really give you a full picture, but I'm on the left in this one and my BMI in that shot is close to 29.

ridethecliche

I totally agree with what you're saying. It's a lot to do with genetics and body type. I agree, you don't look it at all and numbers don't mean anything without interpretation...

A nurse taking my height/weight etc was concerned that I was underweight... I was thinking, just because you're used to seeing so many overweight kids in HS, doesn't mean that I'm underweight...