what is the perfect BMI for health?

Question

and which is worse in terms of health, having a slightly underweight BMI or slightly overweight BMI?

Answer 1

the perfect BMI for health is = 18.5-24.0
or w/in 10% of IBW

Here are the BMI and corresponding remarks

<18.5 = underweight
18.5-24.9 = NORMAL
25.0-29.9 = Overweight
30-35 = Obese
>35 = morbid obese

i guess the worse would be slightly overweight because this can progress to even morbid obese if it not caught attentioned by the patient

Answer 2

BMI are very general and broad, and don't necessarily apply to everyone. Metabolism, stature, and lifestyle as well as genetics ALL play a role in your body's constitution. Some perfectly healthy and active people I know have a miserable BMI index comparisons. Think of it as an extremely rough guideline that has little to do with the actual individual or that individual's metabolism. As far as lower or higher being more healthy, that depends on the above factors and again, the individual. I know that doesn't really satisfy your curiosity, but the BMI is really not that great of a tool for measuring health.

Answer 3

I've got a BMI of 20. Personaly I think 19 is the perfect BMI for looks (at least with me) but I guess it also depends on your body frame...

Answer 4

none.
look at the body fat percentage - it tells much more than bmi.
you can be skinny and have low bmi but at the same time unfit and have pretty high body fat percentage.
OR
you can be bigger, with higher bmi but have very low body fat percentage and be much helthier than skinny person (e.g.bodybuilders)

Answer 5

both are unhealthy and have their own problems. BMI gives a very broad range, so stick to it.

Answer 6

I think in between would be pretty healthy.

Answer 7

how much do you weight and how old are you?