BMI changes for ethnic groups/sex

[Sparklebaby111]

Am I being unreasonable. Recently did my BMI, I am in the healthy range, BMI of 22.3, BUT as a black person I am now overweight if I have a BMI higher than 22.9, compared to a white person who is considered a healthy weight up to 24.9. Really?? Really? They are very vague with the explanation and don't even provide the numbers/range for my ethnic group. I thought I was going crazy when I saw the ranges. I had to enter my numbers as a white person to confirm there was a difference. Then when I searched and read the new guidance they provided the 'normal' ranges, saying there was a 'slight' difference for other ethnicities, with no range given (BTW it's NOT a 'slight' difference) and why aren't the ranges and descriptions clearly provided! Wow! Everywhere I search on Google, even NHS themselves say a healthy BMI is 24.9. How am I supposed to feel when that is not the case for me or anyone that looks like me, when they enter their numbers and suddenly find they are overweight with no explanation, unless I search for it!

It’s explained clearly this is due to the diabetes risk being higher for some ethic groups. There is genetic disposition for diabetes so your weight needs to be lower than for other groups who have a lower risk. I am white. I do not have any history of T2 diabetes in my whole family. My partner is part Asian and almost all his Asian family has T2 diabetes, at fairly low levels of obesity too.

This is just anecdotal for me, the BMI is meant to be there to help keep your risks lower it is not meant to be discriminating against you. You can have a BMI of 24.9 if you want but you might still be at a higher risk of developing diabetes

Secondly OP did you already post this last week?

thirdly if you use the NHS BMI chart there is a link you click which shows you the range?

I googled ‘BMI ethnicity’ and the first hit was this scientific study/article which shows all the ranges

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8208895/

There is a lot of hype on social media that BMI is racist, it’s been updated for this reason - to take into account different risk factors!

Your risk for comorbidities related to being overweight is much higher due to your race.
Therefore, to remain healthier, your BMI should be lower.

OP this is based on scientific data re health risk vs weight

It's not a subjective race campaign

It's fact . based on population data, genetics and health outcomes

Don't take it personally, take it seriously. You have one body, one life, you're in charge of it. You are responsible for your own health. L

Be grateful the information is at your fingertips so you can strive to keep yourself healthy for longer

I'm asian and I've always known I need a much lower BMI to be healthy. It's to take into account genetics.

You are responsible for your own health.

Actually environmental factors play a huge part in health. That’s why some people are briskly walking their labradors from the doors of huge warm dry houses through leafy suburbs at 85, while others are shuffling on two walking sticks from cold damp homes along horrifically polluted A roads at 65.

But naturally the government would prefer to tell you it’s your fault you’re burdening the (largely defunct) NHS.

(Go well, @Sparklebaby111. Mediterranean diet and intermittent fasting and you’ll be grand.)

@Weirdle this is the fat acceptance movement go to by line isn’t it?

We are still responsible for our own health even if our environment is not working well for us. We are also responsible for the health of our children. This includes getting exercise, reducing smoking, drinking and over eating. We do not live in the USA where there are so many more detrimental environmental factors preventing people from accessing food and healthcare.

At the end of the day if you are sick in the U.K. even if it’s your own poor choices you will receive healthcare and there is access to benefits, many people in other countries cannot afford basic healthcare or access it at all, and get no help. We have more privilege than we realise. I say this as a former obese person who grew up and was an adult in relative poverty myself in the UK.

@Weirdle this is the fat acceptance movement go to by line isn’t it?

No idea. Am definitely not fat so it’s not something I focus on much. But I do dislike any government rhetoric that seeks to let the state off the hook whilst blaming those who have very little choice in their lives.

But I didn’t really intend to conflate that general point with the OP’s question on BMI and Type 2 diabetes. I’m well aware the latter can be effectively controlled through weight loss, diet and correct medication.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. No, I have never posted on Mumsnet before, this is actually my first post, so be kind!

Also, the link you supplied is not on the NHS BMI site, I believe it was generated by a general search on Google. The NHS BMI calculator and related information about healthy ranges only refers to ethnic group 'white'. I am simply asking why there isn't equivalent information for the other category. I am bringing this up as I am not the only one who feels this is neither inclusive or clear. I am not one to jump on the 'racist BMI' bandwagon, or any other, hence this being my first post. I have spoken to several family members, friends etc. who feel the same way, regardless of the reasons, information should be disseminated in an equal way. Just saying 'a healthy BMI is 24.9' is not clear. By the way, I can also pull up articles using a Google search to argue the opposite of your point. For example this article https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bmi-for-black-women
But that's not the point I'm trying to make, I'm neither in one group or the other, I would just like it to be clearly communicated on the NHS website.

@Sparklebaby111 healthline is not a good source it’s a US magazine. I think it’s peer reviewed, I’m not sure. But it’s a bit clickbaity

The link I put is governmental research library that will absolutely feed directly into the governmental policies.

but ok here you go here is the NHS more in depth data analysis https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/health/diet-and-exercise/overweight-adults/latest/

I am not sure what you are trying to say… the BMI is unfair? Yes some people do have more muscle. This tool is no use for athletes

If you don’t like the BMI you can try any of the other suggested ways of checking your health risks such as waist measurements being under half your height.

There are loads of tools BMI is just one of them. As a standalone tool it’s a guide it’s not really able to give an in depth analysis of body fat or muscle. To do that you would need a DEXA scan. However like I said you can measure your body and compare it against other tools such as the US Navy body fat calculator, height vs waist, waist to hip ratio etc.

I assume it was well known as this is on the front page of the BMI calculator with a brief explanation which is pretty clear and explicit

I can't believe how thin I have to be to be a healthy bmi it's so depressing. I feel it's unrealistic for me to be under 23bmi.. i would have to eat so little. According to my waist I am doing well in safe or nearly safe as an overweight hourglass but my bmi is a lot higher than should be. Feel so rubbish I want to stuff my face with chocolate 'whats the point?!'

CinCityGal Please don't be disheartened, BMI is a guide, yes it's quite low for many who fit into that category, but you know your health. Obviously I'm not advocating you start stuffing down chocolate! Stay healthy and do your best.

I'm classed as overweight but have a friend with a similar bmi (weight and height)that's really fit and muscly rather than fat/chubby and always wondered how it can be accurate

I know it isn't the same as race but as a woman blessed with an 'apple shaped' body I need to keep my bmi lower than a woman who has a pear shaped body because my waist is naturally larger theres. As an apple I am at higher risk of heart issues, diabetes and cancer at a normal bmi than a pear is at 'over weight' because of my hip to waist ratio. That's genetics for you.

How can I find info on this, very interested!

You can just look up waist to hip ratio calculator
your waist should be less than half your height

Yes. I am Asian, in my fifties, BMI of 23. 5 or so, size 10, and I am still at risk of diabetes, heart disease blah blah. It's not fair, by which I mean genetics is unfair, not the BMI system. I also genetically carry my weight around my stomach.

My partner is part Asian and almost all his Asian family has T2 diabetes, at fairly low levels of obesity too.

My whole family has diabetes, including DH. None of them are obese, and most aren't even overweight. I need to practically starve o get under a BMI of 23 at this age.