Is a low/high BMI really so awful?

[StillMe89]

I know this is an emotive and controversial topic, so I'm trying to be non-specific. But I have been told that my BMI is in the range where my weight could cause me serious health problems.

At the same time, I eat well, I exercise regularly, I sleep well and have good energy, I get regular periods - etc.

Also, I don't think that my BMI has ever been in the "normal" range!

Is it unreasonable to think that some people just have a lower or higher natural weight and that it doesn't necessarily mean that they are unhealthy?

I did myself a lot of damage a few years back with a BMI as low as yours, damage I’m never going to be able to undo. I have osteoporosis and had to have my gallbladder removed.

I know what this is, OP, because I too used every excuse in the book to justify it. It will be putting you at risk.

I’m still borderline underweight - but only borderline. Even then my GP when I saw her last month made me absolutely promise to put weight on. She will be checking I've done so.

I’ve taken her seriously and have done so, even though I don’t pretend it’s easy. I know only too well the consequences of ignoring such medical advice.

Depends on the BMI. A BMI of 18 or 26 could be healthy for an average person. But it’s very unlikely a BMI of 30+ or

So I have a hard time believing that it really is that bad to be overweight because surely from a cost-benefit analysis they would invest more into helping people tackle their disordered eating in order to save money on all these extra operations we will supposedly need?

Hahaha hollow laughter

Forecasting cost-benefit analysis (both in terms of cold factual economic costs and the human cost in terms of quality of life) is something the NHS fails spectacularly at with regards to eating disorders. And chronic illness in general.

Careful thecatsthecats , you will get jumped on by shrodinger for answering OPs question exactly as she asked it. Apparently we are supposed to stalk OPs post history, get inside her head and predict the underlying meaning of her post before formulating a response.

I am underweight, I measure 1m76 for 55kg. I got my bloods done last week, everything is fine and I feel pretty energised. I have never dieted. But if you looked at me you would think I look too thin and my BMI puts me at too thin. I'm not. BMI doesnt take into account Bones for example. My bones are very long and thin. For a long time I felt bad like I was scrawny. I still remember being 16 and having a group of lads drive by making chicken noises at me. Broke my heart. All my life I have had comments about eating when I eat fine. Even non aggressive comments. They hurt. My body is what it is and as I get older I have learnt to love it. I do still look way too scrawny in some outfits. But other times I feel I can wear very basic stuff and it looks quite elegant because of the height and body structure.

Also if I put weight on for example at xmas my general frame and limbs remain "painfully thin". However my stomach is fat. I've never had a flat stomach ever, despite being skinny. I guess I'm a "micro apple" 😂

Basically I think BMI is a load of shit and only really applies if you have the kind of standard body shape that clothing manufacturers work with aka classic 5'5 and a size 10 with a C cup. Then maybe measuring yourself against BMI means something.

@MrsMigginsMate 🙄 if you bothered to read the thread like most people do, I wouldn't have to point out that it's about underweight. I didn't even search the OP. I just rtft

Just reading the op’s post it’s obvious this is someone with a really low BMI looking for encouragement that it’s all fine @MrsMigginsMate.

That’s not healthy behaviour.

[quote PurpleDaisies]@MrsMigginsMate the search function.[/quote]
Yes exactly. So she didn't specify in this thread and in fact deliberately kept her weight out of this thread only for people to stalk her history and drag it into the discussion....do posters here regularly search for all other posts by somebody like that? What an incredibly odd thing to do.

I suspect people saw the red flags in the op and checked @MrsMigginsMate rather than just decided to stalk for no reason.

[quote SchrodingersImmigrant]@MrsMigginsMate 🙄 if you bothered to read the thread like most people do, I wouldn't have to point out that it's about underweight. I didn't even search the OP. I just rtft[/quote]
Waiting for you to attack the other posters who have also responded factually to the OPs original question. Or is it special treatment reserved just for me? Oh I do feel special getting all your attention

I wonder if OP might like to police her own thread instead of randoms deciding it's their job....

Oh ffs🤷🏻

I don't think BMI is a great indicator if you are on the short or tall side. But having said that, I was shocked to find I had a BMI over 25 over the summer - I thought I was fine and I would never get to the healthy range. But I did, but even though my BMI is 22.5 now I don't think I look too different than when I was in the overweight category.

@MrsMigginsMate

Careful thecatsthecats , you will get jumped on by shrodinger for answering OPs question exactly as she asked it. Apparently we are supposed to stalk OPs post history, get inside her head and predict the underlying meaning of her post before formulating a response.

Or you could have read the 6th reply on the thread.

You've obviously missed it though.

I am someone who has always always on the lower end of healthy BMI as an adult. Currently about 19. I’ve always been slim, eat what I want and am fairly active but never set foot in a gym etc. I used to worry about being so slim, but I’m healthy. So I can imagine that those around these edges - say 18.2 or something could still healthy. I can’t imagine a BMI of 16.

Its possible to be healthy and be slightly overweight/slightly underweight. BMI is a general measurement.

However if you have been told your weight is dangerously low there is absolutely no harm in trying to gain a bit to get within the healthy BMI range, its not going to cause you to stop being healthy and will be beneficial for your overall health. I cant imagine you have much muscle at 16 either so again you sinply need to build some muscle and a bit of fat.

If the above seems like a problem to you then i would gently suggest that your diet and attitude to food is not as healthy as you claim

A very low BMI is much more of an immediate danger than a high one. If you're being advised by medical professionals and your BMI is 16, you need to take that seriously. It sounds as though you're not thinking clearly about this, which can be a symptom of eating disorder. Honestly your post is very worrying. Please seek help.

@WorraLiberty Oh do keep up dear, we've been over this already

Also a Dr is not going to tell you your weight is within a range risking serious health problems if you have a bmi of say 18.3 or 26.

Your two statements are not one and the same, it is possible however it doesnt sound like thats you

Maybe your definition of eating “well” isn’t the same as that of other people.

Bmi is rubbish imo.

My partner (male) is 5 foot 9ish and betweem 11.5 and 12 stone, very slim, in size small clothes. Certainly not big, not any fat on him. But if he was to gain a few pounds he would be going in the overweight category - if anything I think gaining a few pounds would make him healthier to fill out a bit.

I’m also considered obese. Yes I do need to lose weight but obese? I’m pretty healthy and active just eat too much by no means huge! Just a little tubby (I’m not in denial). But I’ve always weighed more than I look.. when I was a slim size 10 I was 12.5 stone and considered overweight even at a size 10. But even bigger now. I guess I have muscle mass 🤣🤷‍♀️

I'm surprised any medical professional would let you exercise with a BMI that low - I had a higher BMI and my doctor used to swap his consulting room around when I came in for any appointment to one on the ground floor because he didn't want me climbing any stairs.

OP do you want to elaborate on who told you you were risking health problems and perhaps why you don't trust their assessment? Would you feel differently if someone else had explained that to you? I'm wondering if perhaps you could discuss it with a HCP that you trust more. Sometimes we don't always hit it off with different doctors and an alternative one can make us feel more comfortable, even if they hold the same opinion.

@Sabrina124

BMI is calculated using weight and height. It is equally as valid for tall and short people.
A healthy weight range is provided and this accounts for the variation between people's builds/frame size. imo though, it doesn't account for someone with little body fat but a lot of muscle. Their Bmi is likey to be overweight.

I'm short and curvy but with a small frame. I feel and look my best at the lower end of the scale. When I'm the fittest I like to be, I'm in the middle due to muscle mass.

Sorry I didn't reply. I felt a little bit under siege!

FWIW, I was genuinely asking the question from a general point of view. As regards my own weight, it's difficult to see it as being unhealthy when it has never been different

I do think that people have different frames and different set points and what is one person's overweight could be another person's underweight, and another's perfect weight.

@PurpleDaisies

Just reading the op’s post it’s obvious this is someone with a really low BMI looking for encouragement that it’s all fine *@MrsMigginsMate*.

That’s not healthy behaviour.

How? I didn't say low/high, it could have been either.