BMI says I'm overweight?!

[goodmorningsunny]

According to my BMI, I'm overweight. Do you put any stock in BMI? Are there better tools? I'm a size 8 ffs!

How are you 5'11", 81kg, and a size 8?

I find that so strange as I'm 5'5", 48kg, and I'm a size 8! I frequently have to size up to size 10 or 12 for my boobs to fit and I don't have big boobs.

Totally agree. When I got into a size 6 in next it was ridiculous. I am nowhere near that size, such bloody rubbish!!

I’m 5’11.5, weigh 84kg and I’m 0.5kgs overweight according to BMI.
Size 10-12 on top, 12-14 on the bottom.
30H bra size.

… and fishing for compliments ? If so, happy to offer one - you look in great shape.

Hahah, thanks but on mumsnet it would have been far more likely that someone would fall over themselves to tell me I’m a massive great heifer and I look like my BMI is 70 😂😂😂

OP: what are your bust -waist - hips measurements?

Maybe it's just huge knockers tipping you over 😆

My boobies are rather spectacular right now, I will give you that. Went from a very flat A cup to a D. Makes my clothes fit very strangely, I must say. I've always been used to styling myself with a flat chest, suddenly I have to think about cleavage and not looking too too heavy all the time...

I'm a very broad person too. I've been reading up about frame size and how that factors into bmi. According to calculations I've found online, I classify as having a "large" frame (uses wrist measurements). If I put my BMI in a large frame calculator, im healthy weight... phew. And once these chest coconuts are gone hopefully I'll feel more like myself!!!

I can't really imagine your body type, I weigh 11.6 stone, I'm 5ft 8/9 with D cup and I'm a 12.... If you're a broad build at 5ft 11 and your weight I can't imagine a size 8 but as people say we do all carry weight differently

Can I ask then if you feel great in your skin then why are you worrying about a hugely outdated and wrong measure of healthy?

By size 8 do you mean jeans or vanity size T-shirts and dresses? I think New Look jeans will really tell you your actual size. I really can’t see an almost 6ft woman who is 81kg fitting into size 8 jeans.

Neither can I, not with a broad frame? I'm curious to know your measurements.

I'm just over 5'9", 65kg, and a size 10 in most shops. Some places do size 8s that fit me, some places I'm a size 12.

I can. I'm 5ft 10 and at 15 stone I'm a size 14
I've never been below a 10 because of my shoulders but OP is taller than me and a different shape (I'm very top heavy)
I have to lose 2 stone to drop a dress size!

BMI is based on nothing. Ignore it. If you want more info listen to the BMI episode of the podcast Maintenance Phase. It is not suitable for measuring anything to do with health.

I find threads like this so interesting, I’m 5ft 9 and about 57kg, I’m an 8 in pretty much every shop (they’re a bit loose from some stores but wouldn’t want to squeeze into a 6) and post baby I was 65kg and was struggling to get into a 12.

Goes to show how much is dependent on body shape!

I don’t understand how you can be so tall, broad framed and fit into a size 8. one of those bits doesn’t sound right! I’m 5 foot 9 and often have to size up because smaller clothes tend to be to short on sleeves or leg !

Interesting. For me, the point at which I drop to an 8 is around 61/62 kg.

I also find this. Long sleeve tops and shirts are tricky - if the body fits, the arms are too short, and if the arms fit the body is like a tent.

I am 80kg at 6ft tall and wear size 12 which is a loose fit

bmi notoriously is very strict for tall people

it’s not a very sophisticated formula, though MNers swear by it, as it assumes a 2D shape, not a 3D one. Lots written about it by statisticians / maths bods

it is a rough tool only,
and works well for average height, but for short people bmi is too lenient and for tall people too strict

so don’t sweat it

BMI is based on nothing. Ignore it. If you want more info listen to the BMI episode of the podcast Maintenance Phase. It is not suitable for measuring anything to do with health.

Try getting elective surgery with persistently high BMI.

Bmi means something, not nothing, but it’s not a precise tool

but at a bmi of eg 50 yes a person would be obese, at a bmi of 15 too thin

it’s not random. Just not very precise

I’m a bit confused by the broad size 8 as well. I’ve got very narrow shoulders/chest and hold most of my weight on my lower body (I think I’m a pear, rather than a true hourglass) and I’m very bony/ribby on my upper body, yet at half an inch taller than OP, and 4kg heavier (but I do have some lean muscle mass) I couldn’t fit into an average size 8. Maybe in a loose top/dress or something oversized.

MNers are always dissing BMI. I've never read anyone here say it's a great tool for individuals; meanwhile no shortage of posts saying it's a terrible measure in every way.

BMI is fine for vast majority of people. Those who say it’s rubbish always talk about Sumo wrestlers and professional rugby players - a tiny number of people with specific physiques. People with a healthy BMI aren’t the ones moaning about it.

I know OP is tall but I wanted to agree with you about 8-10 looking chubby on someone short, I could be your friend as I'm the same!

A size 8-10 taller person always looks slim, but 8-10 on a shortie like me looks chubby. I have normal torso but short legs. I need to be on the verge of underweight to look remotely slim, its just my build!

(I need to lose a bit atm but I focus on feeling strong/healthy)