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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I’m not obese at these measurements?

299 replies

Lis1992 · 02/01/2023 00:24

I think according to BMI I could possibly be in obese category. I know BMI isn’t always a perfect measure though. I’m 5’4 and around 12.5 stone. Would you call this obese or overweight? I know I need to lose weight but it is a struggle

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Emilizz34 · 02/01/2023 00:35

Your BMI is around 30 which puts you in the obese category .

EmmaC78 · 02/01/2023 00:36

I'd say obese too, I am taller than you and weigh over as stone less and the BMI index still puts me as overweight.

CharlotteSometimes1 · 02/01/2023 00:38

I’m afraid so.

smooththecat · 02/01/2023 00:39

What is your waist measurement? It’s a better indicator of health. Needs to be below 31.5 inches / 80cm.

www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/measuring-your-waist

Notimeforaname · 02/01/2023 00:42

Higher end of overweight.

DiddyHeck · 02/01/2023 00:42

Lis1992 · 02/01/2023 00:24

I think according to BMI I could possibly be in obese category. I know BMI isn’t always a perfect measure though. I’m 5’4 and around 12.5 stone. Would you call this obese or overweight? I know I need to lose weight but it is a struggle

What do you mean you 'could possibly'?

Just use the NHS online calculator. It would've been quicker than starting a thread.

JonahAndTheSnail · 02/01/2023 00:42

It's tough to lose weight and I never realised how much harder it is to do so the older you get. I'm 5'5 and over the past couple of years have hovered around the 10 stone mark. I've noticed, I'm increasingly having problems with my back and hips at my current weight. I think determining a healthy weight for you also depends on body type and where you carry weight.

user1473878824 · 02/01/2023 00:45

Everyone’s body is different, sure, but I’m an inch shorter than you and a stone lighter and I’m really quite fat. I feel fat, I look fat, I don’t like it, but I’m also at a weight where the GP and the private doctor I saw for a general MOT told me I need to lose weight. And they are right. Sorry OP. Unless you’re a size six but with the biggest, heaviest boobs you’re maybe in a little bit of denial.

Iudncuewbccgrcb · 02/01/2023 00:47

I'm 5'4 and 11st 10 and I'm definitely overweight.

my waist size is 32.5 inches which again is higher than it should be.

I need to lose about a stone to be a healthy weight.

when I weighed 12.5 st I looked very very overweight

you probably are at the obese tipping point

RobbinBanksy · 02/01/2023 00:49

there’s no ‘possibly’ about it. your BMI makes you obese

MirandaWest · 02/01/2023 01:05

I am that height and have been that weight. I was obese and was having problems getting up and down because my legs were too fat.

Am currently around 10.5 stone and still just about overweight but in better condition than before (and will be better once I’ve lost a bit more)

antipodeancanary · 02/01/2023 01:07

Seriously?

AutisticLegoLover · 02/01/2023 01:08

You need to lose at least 2stone to get to a healthier weight. Come over to weight loss chat and see if any threads take your fancy.
I imagine it was quite a shock to know your are tipping into the obese category but think of it as the start of a healthier you.

Suprima · 02/01/2023 01:12

obese. i am an inch shorter and have been that weight

I gain weight on my tummy as a last resort so I i carried it well. Even at 12 stone, i looked nice and curvy in flattering clothes- but had chub rub from hell, my waist was starting to thicken and i had really fat arms and a puffy face if I was caught in a candid photo. Exercising also felt much harder.

I’m now 11 stone (have probably put on a couple of kilos over Xmas but will be off soon) now and look/feel so much better.

EmmiJay · 02/01/2023 01:14

What's your build like? If you're more muscular, that might change things. If you are a bit on the flabbier side, i.e., zero muscle tone, then yes, you'd be classed as overweight/obese. Also, fitness levels are a better indicator of exactly how healthy you actually are.

Pineappleskies · 02/01/2023 01:16

I'm 5 foot 3 and 10 stone 3. I'm overweight. It is hard to lose it but you are very overweight and it will be putting a great strain on your heart, skeleton and your whole body.

BMI gives a very large range of acceptable weights....you could weigh between 8 stone and 10 stone 5 and not be overweight.

If you are over the very upper end of ok then yes you need to try to lose some weight. Every pound off is less strain on your body.

Original poster
Lis1992 · 02/01/2023 01:23

I understand I need to lose weight. But I don’t ‘look’ big enough to be obese or maybe I’m not seeing it. I walk my dog no problem too and can do Zumba etc with ease. So I don’t know. I’d be saying more overweight than obese.

OP posts:
user1473878824 · 02/01/2023 01:25

@Lis1992 I can run easily, I’m not out of breath walking around (I walk about ten miles a day), face on in the mirror I can think I’m fine. But I’m not. You’re used to it because it’s crept up on you.

Highlyflavouredgravy · 02/01/2023 01:25

I am just under 6 foot and tweleve stone five is a good weight for me.
You're kidding yourself love.

BabyOnBoard90 · 02/01/2023 01:26

At 5'4, at the very least overweight

user1473878824 · 02/01/2023 01:26

Sorry to be harsh @Lis1992 but height and weight wise we’re the same. You might be perfectly happy and fine but your health won’t be.

Emilizz34 · 02/01/2023 01:27

Put your measurements into a BMI calculator . 30 or above is obese which I’m pretty sure applies to you

gwenneh · 02/01/2023 01:27

Lis1992 · 02/01/2023 01:23

I understand I need to lose weight. But I don’t ‘look’ big enough to be obese or maybe I’m not seeing it. I walk my dog no problem too and can do Zumba etc with ease. So I don’t know. I’d be saying more overweight than obese.

Obesity is clinical & you fit the definition based on the criteria. Not agreeing with the criteria isn't the same as not being obese.

RunLolaRun102 · 02/01/2023 01:28

If you’re black (caribbean origin) you might be at a healthy weight for your height as BMI levels are based on white women. If you’re Asian or Indian you might be approaching morbidly obese. Better to look at your waist measurement to gage if you’re fat. I would say anything over 32 inches for a woman shorter than 5’6 is too much

PinkArt · 02/01/2023 01:31

Medically obese looks very different to the mental image most of us have for obese. It's about a size 14 on me, I think, from the last time I lost a lot of weight. But the assumption is it should be US documentary levels of weight gain, rather than what I think in layman's terms most people would put at overweight if anything.