BMI....is it a load of shit?

[McDougal]

According to the BMI calculator, I am obese. I'd like to think I'm fairly active, trying to keep up with a four year old, running and classes at least 3 times a week, but BMI disagrees.

Anyone else believe that BMI just does not take into account - build, muscle weight etc?

A lot of rugby player types have definite gut, when you look at them properly.

People are three dimensional. Weight will broadly scale with height cubed , whereas bmi uses height squared. It also doesn't take muscle and bone into account. It seems reasonable for looking at changes in populations but it's too coarse for individuals, really.

It's helpful to know with other facts as well like the size of your waist and hips. If your waist is 26-27 inches then you're not fat no matter what your weight is. If your waist is 36-37 inches then you're obese.

The waist thing, I always feel that works out unfair for tall women like me (6ft,)