WHAT'S YOUR BMI?

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

NOTE: The purpose of this thread is NOT to debate how the BMI (Body Mass Index) is an imperfect way of determining who is overweight and who isn't ... and that measuring body fat in a doctor's office is much better. Yes, Yes, we know that. And, yes, the BMI doesn't properly factor in that some people are just more muscular, so that THEIR BMI may look ~ on paper ~ like they are overweight, when they reall aren't.

However, comparing how much you weigh to another person isn't always a good gauge, either, because height plays a big role in who is overweight and who isn't... and BMI does keep track of that.

If you want to know your BMI: www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

•Underweight = <18.5
•Normal weight = 18.5–24.9
•Overweight = 25–29.9
•Obese Class I (moderately obese) = 30-35
•Obese Class II (severely obese) = 34 - 40
•Obese Class III (morbid obese/super obese) = 40 or higher


The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 1994 indicates that 59% of American men and 49% of women have BMIs over 25. Morbid obesity—a BMI of 40 or more—was found in 2% of the men and 4% of the women. The newest survey in 2007 indicates a continuation of the increase in BMI: 63% of Americans are overweight, with 26% now in the obese category (a BMI of 30 or more).

For people who are considered obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30) or those who are overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9) and have two or more risk factors, it is recommended that you lose weight. Even a small weight loss (between 5 and 10 percent of your current weight) will help lower your risk of developing diseases associated with obesity. People who are overweight, do not have a high waist measurement, and have fewer than two risk factors may need to prevent further weight gain rather than lose weight.

[Deleted]

I am 25-ish

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Since I started my weight loss program a year ago, I've lost 17.5 BMI points!

I am 22 pounds from being in a lower BMI category ~ and that's my weight loss goal for 2011.

[thyme4change]

23.7

Yesterday I thought I was under 23, and then I bought a scale.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Ahhh ... evil scale! Evil scale!

[swamp]

I'm probably in the Obese Class II, but even when I was on the swim team in college I was considered at least overweight and maybe Obese Class I, so I don't put much stock in the BMI.

[thyme4change]

Jan 25, 2011 14:30:53 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

Ahhh ... evil scale! Evil scale!

I was much happier when I didn't own one, and I could just pretend my weight was whatever I wanted it to be.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Jan 25, 2011 14:34:27 GMT -5 swamp said:

I'm probably in the Obese Class II, but even when I was on the swim team in college I was considered at least overweight and maybe Obese Class I, so I don't put much stock in the BMI.

It really doesn't apply well to athletes or people with a fair amount of muscles; the system is definitely flawed.

[The J]

32.6. When I graduated from high school, I had a 33 inch waist and a BMI of 27.6

[Abby Normal]

I'm overweight and want to be normal- even if it's a high normal.

[kadee]

Mine is in the normal range....BUT I'm over-weight for ME!

It's HE$$ getting old...everything wants to shut down (metabolism) or start running (potty trips)!

[Abby Normal]

start running (potty trips)!

Don't mock it- you can burn calories running to the bathroom!

[kadee]

I must burn at LEAST 500 a day then...some days more! ;D

[Artemis Windsong]

I am high normal at 24. If I lose a few pounds then I'm lower on that range. This is just a number like percentage of fat and lean body weight. Freaking out is not allowed about these.

[tractor]

Mine is 28.1, that puts me in the overweight, nearing obese category. I'm 5'8" and 185 lbs with a 33 inch waist. I hardly consider myself overweight, BMI doesn't seem to factor in any muscle development. If/when I reach my weight goal, I would fall solidly into the obese category.

[Abby Normal]

Tractor- are you trying to gain weight?

[tractor]

Jan 25, 2011 16:41:52 GMT -5 Abby Normal said:

Tractor- are you trying to gain weight?

Yeah, I may be the only one, but I don't have any other real goals, so I would like to build up some muscle mass and reach 200lbs. I'm stuck at 185.

No good reason, just something I have never been able to do.

[midjd]

22... I have no muscle, though. Trying to tone up a little bit (between being a redhead in winter and never exercising, I'm getting that Pillsbury look).

DH was quite disturbed the other day when we calculated his and it was 34 - obese. I would admit he's overweight, but he's built like a linebacker and looks manorexic at his "goal weight" (<200?!? at 6'3"?). A few years ago he got down to 210 and his hair started falling out. He has weighed as much as 360 when we were in high school, probably about 270 now. My non-medical, entirely aesthetic opinion would be that he should weigh 230, which is still almost obese (BMI 29). But what do I know?

[teen persuasion]

16.6

I'm not even on their chart.

Shouldn't there be differences for male vs. female?

[Frugal Nurse]

16.6 would be severely under weight, and that is just as hard on your heart as being severely over weight. Have you spoken to your doctor about your weight and if there is any underlying condition?

[teen persuasion]

frugalnurse - that's my problem w/ these types of yardsticks.

By the chart, I'm severely underweight. By every other measure, I'm very healthy. Is it really a bad thing that I'm 5'5" and my weight has always been about 100-110 lbs? That is, except when I've been pregnant - then I gained the expected 25 or so lbs. Other than when pregnant, I couldn't gain weight to save my life. I am the weight that my body/system/metabolism wants me to be.

It's got to be genetic; my sister is 5'11", and weighs 124.

[steph08]

I agree with tweens, teens, and a tot. We can't all be measured by the same index.

My BMI is 18.5, right at "normal weight." Though I have dipped into the "underweight" range but I am not underweight by any means, don't look sickly, eat plenty, and exercise. I am 5'4" and at my heaviest, have only weighed 114.

[thyme4change]

I watched "Heavy" yesterday, and the one guy had a BMI >90!!!! He was 600 pounds. By the end of the show he got down to 60-something. He was still a big dude!

Wow!

[Deleted]

At 130 I was at the top of the BMI for normal weight for my height. I am now 122 so my BMI is now 23.

[Frugal Nurse]

5'5" and 100 pounds, and 5'11" and 124 sound incredibly thin. I agree that we are all built differently and each have a healthy weight. As long as your doctor says there are no problems, and you are living a healthy lifestyle (eating adequate healthy calories and getting the right amount of exercise), then you should be fine. But the BMI is for average people, which most of us fall into.

[thyme4change]

Body fat percentage is too hard to measure, and keeping height, weight and pant size all in your head is difficult - having a single number for everyone makes it so you can put them on a common scale of big to small. Even if someone is muscular - they are probably still big. So, yes, it isn't necessarily a measure of health - just an easier number to use for comparison.

[thyme4change]

Comparison, and judging

[thyme4change]

I know - me too! It is great to have as many tools in the tool box as possible.

Although I will say, I've suspended my judgmental attitude here on the healthy living board. I save all my superior attitude for the money board, and when I watch reality television.

[bobosensei]

24.6

In my highschool days I was a 20-21 BMI. I'm not sure if I can get back down that small, but next year I turn 30 and I want to look HOT so we are going to see what the gym can do for me.

[flopsy]

a few years ago i when i joined a gym my BMI was calculated at ~25 (using calipers and weight) while i cracked the scales at a whopping 99 lbs. sure i had almost no muscle on me at the time but it seemed ridiculous to me. height+weight can't be an acurate way to calculate BMI. i believe the most acurate tests involve water dispalcement. also not taking into account gender is a huge flaw. i have a sib who probably rocks a BMI of 8 or 9 but he's a hardcore runner so there's nothing unhealthy about his BMI.

on scales that calculate BMI be warry. the electronic pulse those things use is passing maining through your legs so if you carry most of your fat waist or below it will calculate your BMI higher than it may be