I'm not going to say that many of us around the world aren't overweight, but the standardized measurements of the BMI don't take excess muscle or a very curvy shape into account - someone with a bodybuilders physique or a woman with large breasts might classify as overweight when in actuality, they are normal.
Why have we bought into this? I always thought it was scientifically accurate. Do you think it is accurate?
There is a BMI slide show online, search it and see if you are as suprised as I was.
2007-10-24 17:06:42 · 7 answers · asked by slipstreamer 7 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
This also makes me wonder who came up with this? What was the reasoning and is there any science to back it up, or is it just another managed healthcare generalization? Some people just have thick waists after all, but can be fit overall.
And does this mean that those obesity rates are inaccurate?
2007-10-24 17:15:38 · update #1
the main purpose of the BMI is to address the health issues that are associated with central obesity. the medical industry prefers to use the BMI vs body fat analysis as it's easier to tell people that they are overweight vs an actually measurement of body fat. which if you think about it is a complete joke. when it comes to the health, this is the last place where information needs to be "sugar coated" to protect a persons feelings, etc.
the BMI only works for non-athletes or those with average to below average levels of muscle mass while body fat analysis works for everyone. the BMI needs to be abolished.
2007-10-24 19:15:43 · answer #1 · answered by lv_consultant 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not always that accurate. BMI can't tell you whether the excess weight is coming from fat, muscle or bone. Apparently BMI misclassifies 1 in 4 people.
And obviously if two people were overweight but one had the hourglass or pear shaped figure and the other had the apple shaped figure, this would also make a difference as excess breast, hip and thigh fat does not pose the same danger as excess abdominal fat.
2007-10-26 01:36:15 · answer #2 · answered by Kate 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't feel that BMI's are accurate at all. I'm definitely overweight, but not in the next to morbidly obese category that BMI's put me in. I'm pretty muscular for a girl and an overall large person. My goal weight is to lose 50 lbs, not the 80 lbs my BMI says I need to lose.
2007-10-25 00:19:20 · answer #3 · answered by klm78_2001 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's very accurate. My son is 5'10.5" and weighs 180. According to his BMI he is overweight. He's not at all. He has a physical job and has alot of muscle. His arms & thighs are huge. There's no way he's overweight.
I on the other hand am chubby. I am 5'6" and weigh 144. According to the BMI I am in the normal range. I feel my best weight is at 130-135
2007-10-25 00:14:01 · answer #4 · answered by tess 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not accurate, it is just a guideline.
It is important to take into account the waist measurement, as that can show if a person is really at risk for cardiovascular diseases.
The only really accurate way to see how much weight someone needs to lose is to do a water submersion body fat measurement.
2007-10-25 00:11:19 · answer #5 · answered by Lacey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It gives a good general idea but nobody should obsess over their BMI because, like you said, it doesnt take into account defferent builds. Good Question!
2007-10-25 00:17:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not really accurate because it does not count muscle
2007-10-25 00:13:21 · answer #7 · answered by Melancholy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋