Conflicting theories about my body composition, someone please help, this is getting old, LOL?

Question

My body fat percentage (not my BMI) is 33%, which is just on the line between healthy body fat and overweight. I do plan on losing more weight to get it more into the "safe area" though. When I had my BMI done at a gym I was told I was borderline obese at 30.07% BMI (which came as a huge suprise to me since I'm only a size 10-12!) I'm not sure what to go with, BMI or BFP. I really don't want to lose too much weight since I have a larger frame, I'm pretty muscular and I like being curvier. So anyway, I'm 5'3", measurements are (in inches): Neck:14 Bust:38 Waist:31 Hips:41 and I weigh 159.
If someone could shed some light on this I'd be more than happy!

BTW, I'm planning on losing approximately 18-20lbs and I work out 6 times a week doing 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of light weight training (I alternate legs, abs etc..depending on the day). My main goal isn't to fit into a size 4 or get skinny but to get my percentages into a healthy range, as well as meet a few fitness goals of mine. I just need to know WHICH measurements are more accurate so I can stick with that one.

The 30.07% was done with calipers, but he told me it was to measure BMI, I had even asked him twice if he was sure it was BMI and he said yes and that it made me obese. The 33% came from a body fat percentage calculator on About.com. Sheesh...now I'm even more confused...I only wanna be healthy for pete's sake, LOL.

Answer 1

Now I'm lost as well! lol.

If you are 5ft3 and 159lb then your BMI is definitely 28.2. You can double check here: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

What you had tested at the gym that came to 30.07% sounds like your body fat percentage, where they use callipers to measure the amount of fat or you may have used a special body fat scale which uses biolectrical impedance to measure body fat. Up to 32% body fat is acceptable for a female, but keeping your body fat under 28% is optimal.

So now I'm just confused as to where you got 33% from?

Answer 2

If your body fat is 33% (which is too high for anyone) and your body weight is 159, then you are carrying around 52.47 pounds of body fat...(about 25 pounds too many)

Bones, Muscles and all your other inner parts should account for 75% to 85% of your body weight...not 66%.

33% BF is not on the borderline of healthy...it is beyond and how ever told you that it was borderline is blowing some serious smoke up something....

BMI should be some what lower, but I'm not too big on the BMI as the tables used to calculate your health or way out of whack...Insurance companies use the BMI and they use it against you as their acceptable numbers are much lower than they should be....which means you become classified as obese and pay higher rates for life and health insurance...

Here's the bottom line....if everything you said is true concerning your measurements, you do need to loose some weight. I understand you like being curvy, nothing wrong with that at all...but try to lower your BF% to about 24-28%...you will still have the curves, you will be about 2-3 dress sizes smaller and your hips will be in the mid thirties instead of 41 inches...

A body weight of about 140 with a BF% of 25% means you only have 35 lbs of fat and that is much better than 53 pounds....


****Okay that makes more sense....
Still though, you need to lower the BF% because carrying the extra weight is not healthy...

Answer 3

BMI is not the be-all-end-all. It's a very general measurement that works for certain segments of the population but not all. Professional boxers and football players routinely have a BMI in the obese range, but they're in great shape. On the other hand, your body fat percentage is high. Don't know who told you that 33% body fat is on the line between being healthy and overweight -- on a woman, anything over 28% body fat is considered overweight. I know you like being curvy but it sounds like you're carrying a little too much extra in the bust and hips. You could still lose 15-20 pounds and have a very curvy figure. My advice would be to try and lose a little.

Answer 4

I am 5'3" also, I have a medium frame and weigh 130lbs my BMI is 23%. For our height we should weigh between 110lbs & 140lbs. For a larger frame you should weigh closer to 140lbs and a BMI of greater than 30% is considered obese. Also, women who have a waist over 30" have an increased risk of heart disease. It is okay to like your curves, but you should consider your health first. It will benefit you greatly to lose 20lbs and I promise you - you will still have curves. My measurements are: neck 13, Bust 35, waist 26, Hips 35 - you too have an hourglass figure so your curves will remain - they will just be smaller.

It might help you to know that I used to weigh 200lbs after the birth of my daughter. Big or Small I had/have curves.

Answer 5

I've heard BFP is an more accurate indicator than BMI which doesnt take into consideration body frame. I've also heard a waist near 35 inches put you at more risk for heart disease and other related health conditions.

Answer 6

the body fat percentage is a more accurate description of the current state of health. the BMI is only good for addressing the health risk that is associated with central obesity.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Body fat. BMI is OK I guess for people that have no exercise regimen.

My BMI is 26, yet I'm only 14% body fat.

Answer 9

They measure two different things. IMO your fat percentage is more important than your BMI, which doesn't take into account that muscle is 2.5x more dense than fat.

Answer 10

Use a vegetable bean dip like hummus instead of ranch dressing or perhaps a fatty cream-based dip.