To me, it doesn't seem that they are taking everything into account. I am 5'6" and 198lbs and the BMI chart says that I am obese. I'm not obese and anyone who knows me doesn't think so either. I wear a size 12. Many people I know say that I look about 150 or 160. Now, I don't want to hear anyone saying that big boned is a myth. If it was, how can you explain this? I admit that I am about 15-20 pounds overweight, but I cannot lose 50 pounds like the BMI chart says I should! I don't have it to lose!!! At 170, I was skin and bones and looked sickly!!! I am pretty muscular too. So, what explains this? Anybody know what I'm talking about?
2007-03-28 05:40:06 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
Drew, My hip bones are big and you def couldn't get anything smaller than a size 10 on my skeleton ALONE!!! Trust me. My hip bone still juts out!!!
2007-03-28 05:53:22 · update #1
I'm not making excuses. If you weight 135, you have a completely different bady than me. I CAN NEVER WEIGHT 135 POUNDS. Yes, I can lose 20 lbs. I have done it before. I know how. Also, at 175lbs, I did nude modeling for an art class. I'm not you. That's what I'm trying to say.
2007-03-28 05:58:13 · update #2
Leaping, yeah I know I need to lose weight. I liked how I looked at 175. However, if you don't know me and you hear that I'm 5'6" and 175, doesn't that sound fat? I have pics of me at that weight and you can see my ribs!
2007-03-28 06:00:18 · update #3
the BMI is only accurate for helping to address the health risks associated with central obesity for the sedentary individual.
the BMI does not take into account body composition, or the amount of lean muscle mass and body fat that a person has. the body fat percentage is a far more accurate method of determining overall health and health risks. a person can have a low BMI but still have a high percentage of body fat. and a person can have a high BMI with a very low level of body fat, making the reading completely invalid and useless. this is why the BMI is not as accurate as the body fat percentage.
2007-03-28 05:54:02 · answer #1 · answered by lv_consultant 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, the BMI is not an accurate way to determine obesity in a person.
You can have two individuals who have the exact same BMI and have very different amounts of body fat. The BMI is calculated only on your height and weight. The amount of body fat never comes into play with the BMI. That is why an athlete may have the same BMI as someone who obviously has more fat on their body. The BMI needs to be done away with when it comes to figuring obesity.
Look in the mirror. You know whether or not you need to lose weight. You know by the way you physically feel on a daily basis whether or not you're carrying around to much weight.
edited to add:
I for one pass no judgments on how a person my look based solely on their height and weight. I know just from my own family how deceiving height and weight can be. My brother is 6' and weighs about 250 if you based your perception of what he looks like based on that info, you may think chubby guy. I can assure you that's not the case. My husband is 6'2" and about 218 according to the BMI he's overweight, yet because he is fit and healthy his doc said don't lose weight.
2007-03-28 12:56:33 · answer #2 · answered by LeapingLepersShaggy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You may well have heavier bones and more muscle mass, but not that much body fat. The reason you weigh so much, but look reasonably slim is that lean body mass is much more compact than body fat, yet it weighs a lot more. And someone your weight with a regular or small bone structure would have a lot more body fat than you do and as fat takes up more space than bone/muscle, they would look a lot bigger than you do.
If you want to settle this once and for all, go to the gym and have your body fat percentage tested. Your body fat percentage is prediced at 40% based on the average person your height/weight. But I'm willing to bet your body fat percentage is closer to 30% because of your large/heavy build.
You may find you want to lose a few pounds, but no where near as much as your BMI would suggest you lose. If you lost 50lb you'd probably be a size 2, it's ridiculous!
I've listed the body fat percentagse for females below to give you a general idea of what is healthy. Generally 20%-28% body fat is an ideal place to be in terms of health.
Take care : )
2007-03-28 20:16:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. It's just a simple tool to guage the general public. If you or an athlete or have some fat and a lot of muscle your BMI will go up. You need to get your body fat percentage caluclated by a professional in a water boyancy test to really know where you stand. That's is the only accurate way to find out.
2007-03-28 12:44:42 · answer #4 · answered by Eisbär 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The BMI scale is a guidline and certainly not to be taken to heart, but it should not be disregarded completely. If you're muscular, you will weigh more and yes, your body frame plays a HUGE part in that, as well. A large framed woman at 5'6" should top out at around 150. So you could afford to lose some weight. Even a size 12 is pretty big.
You should see your doctor for more accurate advise since we can't see a picture of you.
And I'm not trying to sound mean. I too am 5'6" and topped out at 183. I too have a large hourglass frame and am muscular. But one day I realized that I was just making excuses for my lifestyle. I've started a rigourous excercise and diet plan and am watching myself shrink to my goal of a size 6 around 135 pounds.
Added:
Ok, well apparantly you only like the answers that say what you're looking for. You sound defensive. I'm only telling you my experience and, yes, even at 183, one could see my ribs, too. Your story sounds like mine, that's why I was telling you. Has your doctor told you to lose weight? If so, I think you may be making excuses. If not, then who cares? You're the one asking the question, so don't get upset if people answer with info you don't want to hear.
Bottom line, if your waist measures over 35 inches, you're at risk for many health problems. If not, and if you feel good in your own skin, who cares about the number on the scale? For me, it was about getting rid of the fat covering my muscles and seeing those muscles ripple again.
2007-03-28 12:50:16 · answer #5 · answered by Drew 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
ur right the bmi could be wrong for u , since they don't measure muscle , its hard to get an accurate bmi of what ur really are so i would just go to a doctor and ask them measure ur body fat , and then u can take it from there
2007-03-28 12:50:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are muscular, BMI's aren't the way to go. Muscle mass weighs more and is more dense than fatty mass. If you calculate any professional athlete's BMI, it's likely to say overweight. Sure, they weigh more than the average person... cuz they're ripped! :-P
2007-03-28 12:45:30 · answer #7 · answered by MacGuru 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋