I'm 23, male, 5ft 11, and weigh only 8st 6lb. Should I be worried?

Question

That means my BMI is just under 16.5. Is that really bad? Should I be worried? What should I do. I haven't been ill recently, I've just always been skinny and I eat at least 3 good meals a day.

I'm English and that's how we write down our weight. I'm not a moron just because I don't use the American system. 1 stone is 14 pounds.

Answer 1

I'm not sure what 8st 6lb is but,

I am 18yrold female, 5ft 7in & I weight 112 lbs & my BMI is 17.5 while being "underweight" is 18.5.

I am not a stick & i still have fat on my belly so I really dont listen to the BMI calculators anymore. I'd say you shouldn't be worried, as long as you're eating, but I am not a doctor. I can just relate to what you're thinking.

Answer 2

I'm pretty sure there's nothing wrong with you and you probably don't need to have cause for alarm, you're metabolism is just faster than normal. However, if you have a chronic (long-term) feeling of nausea or you manually induce vomiting to and you have trouble KEEPING down food to maintain your current weight, then yeah, you have a problem and you should seek medical advise.

If not, and you are trying to gain weight then it would probably be to your advantage to eat more than three meals a day. Also lifting weights help to put some meat on your bones too. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I have maintained a BMI of 15.6 for the last 29 years and rarely fall ill and am amused to find some of my friends with healthy BMIs developing various health problems. So I believe a BMI of 16.5 is nothing to worry about if you are otherwise in good health.

Answer 4

You should get a medical opinion - including to actually test your BMI as you can't just guess this. My partner had his tested recently, having thought it would be over, but was pleased with the results. You'll have a better idea when you have it done, too.

It may be that you have a high metabolism that will decrease with age. (Hence middle-aged 'spread'). You should also ask yourself if you're not being entirely honest and if you do have issues with food. If you don't, then maybe try harder to put on a bit of weight, depending on what medical opinion you receive. If you do have personal issues with food, you should get these dealt with.

Answer 5

Save this question - wait 25 years and see if you can still ask this question then. The fact that you're eating very well and despite that are not gaining weight - I wouldn't worry too much. In about 25 years - you'll be worrying about how to lose some weight - believe me its true.

Answer 6

i think there's two much empahaisis on 'idealism'. if you eat enough then that's the weight you should be. dont worry love. it's other way round for me. i am slim but according to the bmi i slightly over weight - and i don't call a size 10 over weight. this ibm crap has caused me distress. accept you for the beautiful creation you are. maybe it's to do with the weight of our brains or boobs.lol xxxxxxx

Answer 7

Do not worry, you will thicken out before you are thirty,as long as you are healthy, drink a pint of Guinness a day, this was once included on a diet sheet for me in hospital after a serious loss of weight

Answer 8

A healthy BMI is generally considered to be between 20 and 25 Check with your G.P. He may ask you to see a dietician or nutritionist

Answer 9

A few extra pounds would look really good on you. 9st 2 for instance would allow you to look 'toned' whilst still being on the skinny side. A little light exercise, swimming, perhaps would accentuate your muscles nicely.

Answer 10

That's pretty skinny mate. You need to put on some weight.