In thinking that a disproportionate number of MNers are overweight/obese?

[anotherfatty]

...according to recent threads and that this is probably because we spend too much time in front of a computer stuffing our faces and not enough time getting off our fat backsides and exercising!

BMI is effective...but with caveats. Most of us are not athletes, and so it should be applied as a guideline. Waist measurement and hip to waist ratio should also be used (IMHO) to give you a full picture...and also body fat % After all, you may be skinny, but with hardly any lean muscle and lots of internal fat, becuase you don't exercise, or you could be an acceptable BMI, but carry weight around your wasit, which is dangerous.

I agree with Xenia...whilst anorexia is a terrible disease, obesity and its effects kills FAR more people. We need to stop burying our heads in the sand and recognise the problem.

Agree BMI is pretty useless, you just can't generalise. Xenia's assertion that everyone should be 10 stone and under and the implied suggestion that size 16 is too big is just plain wrong.

I am 5ft 9" and have a BMI of 24.9, I am big built, broad of back, big feet etc and eat healthily in the main. I run 3/4 times a week and am size 14/16. I have to work very hard to maintain this size.
I am at least 1.5 stone heavier than when I was a single chainsmoking, partying twentysomething.
I know which is healthier, not necessarily more fun though

Carrying weight around your wasit is not good....

carrying weight around your waist is bad for your health!

LOL Notyummy