AIBU to tell you that BMI doesn't apply to everyone!

[Randomuser456]

Foreword I know it's a blunt tool, etc, etc ,etc... and I DO exercise more than the average person (don't really ift heavy) but I've always thought my clothes size doesn't match my weight.

Anywho according to the Navy Body Fat formula I'm around 27-28%

A BMI extrapolation would put me at 38%. By reversing that calculation someone with my BF% is around 15kg lighter than my current weight.

Anyway just a public service announcement :)

for the average person it’s a reasonably good estimate. If you are weight lifting 6 times a week and have lots of muscle then no it’s not going to be as accurate.

But that doesn’t describe most people.

My bmi is 28.7 just for reference (was 34 a year ago).

I’m short, I do think it makes it harder to stay a healthy weight because I can’t eat as much as someone who is taller. That doesn’t make bmi inaccurate though.

There’s more to health than size though. For me, fitness is a far better measure of health than body mass. Sure, that person might be a ‘healthy’ BMI but can they run/do cardio exercise/walk without getting out of breath.

I do spin classes and out perform slimmer ladies.

Fat shaming is never ok.

Totally! I'm faster than my peers too!

I think you're being a tiny bit unreasonable, because while there are some people to whom it doesn't apply, there isn't enough of them to discredit it as one of the measures of health and your post may encourage people in the belief its nonsense. I say this as a former BMI denier, who on finding myself in the OW category while still fitting into a size 10-12 (thank you lycra!) Insisted it was ridiculously strict, outdated, not made for my (self diagnosed) heavy bones and (imaginary) 'large frame'. Then, I lost 2 stone and my BMI is n 21. And the difference in my fitness, flexibility and aches and pains is huge. This is clearly my healthy weight and its smack in the middle of the healthy BMI. So it certainly works for me.

I think most people know if they're overweight and don't need BMI to tell them, the mirror usually does that job.

If BMI is only a rough measure, which it is as we all know bodies come in all shapes and sizes, then why do the NHS gatekeep so much treatment based on it? My doctor thinks I’m doing OK because my BMI is 19 but I’ve had anorexia since I was 15. I (mercifully still) have big boobs and 39% muscle so of course my BMI will be more than if I had small boobs and didn’t work out!

I think it's fit for purpose for 90%plus of the population.

BMI is a starting point, that's all.

At 70, I use the geriatric BMI scale - lovely name - which was an eye opener.

You're right about the muscle, but big boobs are body fat (which we all need some of, so I'm glad you've managed to keep a little).
I never understand why people talk about boobs as if they're somehow different.

Have you spoken to your Dr re. the muscle? It's so important they are able to support you properly. Really concerning if they're not taking this into account.

Good luck with your recovery 💐

Chances are you have "brittle bones" because your BMI is exceptionally low.

Yeah, chicken and egg?! Who knows. But yeah it's because of ed that I have osteoporosis.

I am a size 10, not overweight, but have a big bust (34 FF) and have often wondered whether this skews my BMI results.

my bmi is 26 and I need to lose 1 or 2 stone however my body fat is 23%. I exercise a lot

Why would you need to lose weight then?

I'm peeved now! The US Navy says I'm 30% fat and the NHS says my BMI is 24.

I think they're both at the top end of healthy, but all you PPs getting smaller results on the Navy calculator are making me look lardy 😂

It's true about BMI, though. Back when I was very fit, I got a lecture from a GP on being obese. Couldn't pinch an inch anywhere, it was all muscle.

I work out (a lot). My BMI is 31 but my body fat is 12%. So medically I am obese, but in reality I am not. BMI is a guideline, not a law.

Wait...is the bmi figure your percentage of fat?! 🤯

Indeed. I was just going to say that.

I agree, I am 4lbs under my minimum weight. Although very slim I am healthy. I would not be at the top end of the scale.

Where your fat is distributed is more important. Waist to height measurement is a better gauge of future health problems. My BMI is 27 (and I am intending to lose more weight) but my waist to height measurement is in the healthy range.

https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/calculate-your-waist-to-height-ratio

12% is amazing, are you in competitions?

It gets trotted out a lot on here but we've lost sight of what a healthy person looks like

We really have.

Especially for children. So many times I hear people saying such and such child/ adult is not fat, when they definitely and clearly are overweight.

People also don’t understand what an average is. So they say ‘ oh the average woman is a size 16 so that is not overweight because it’s average’ . Where all that means is that we are a fat population where the average woman is overweight.

Wow what a depressing statement to read. I thought the world had changed, to one where we can accept different body sizes and not focus on how people look being the most important thing about them.

And yes my BMI is in the obese range, I’m a size 16. Of course it’s not healthy to be obese but I do 3 Bootcamp style classes a week plus Pilates. I’m pretty strong and yes am trying to lose a bit of weight but it’s not about taking a jab to ‘look great’ as how I look isn’t what’s important, if I lose weight it’s for health not vanity reasons and that should be the focus for why people be to lose weight.

The way so many people see women’s bodies and the diet culture we have is so fucked up. If anyone is interested the “should I delete that” podcast did a great series on diet culture. Well worth a listen.

Why do you care? You are clearly healthy and are happy with how you look.

No, it's the ratio between weight and height