Why is my BMI classed as overweight when I state that I am Black?

[BippityBopper]

I wanted to check my BMI so I went to NHS BMI calculator.

When inputting that I am Black, it says my BMI of 24.2 is overweight. If I put 'prefer not to say' or white, it says I am within the healthy range. Does anybody know why this is?

I understand some ethnicities are at greater risk of obesity at lower weights than others, but surely your BMI is your BMI. They could just put health risk notices dependant on data input rather than changing the scales.

FWIW, I'd like to lose 1-2 kg regardless of the BMI result, so a 'healthy' result wouldn't change that. I guess I just don't understand BMI differences in relation to ethnicity. It's like being 5'5 if your Black but 5'6 if you're White. I don't get it, but science was never my strength.

https://www.nhs.uk/health-assessment-tools/calculate-your-body-mass-index/calculate-bmi-for-adults

I don't know, but possibly, if the term "obesity" is used to describe when a fat ratio increases by a certain amount the risk of health problems, rather than only the actual amount of fat, then maybe this is why?
Maybe to do with where fat is generally deposited in people of different ethnic backgrounds?

I 'm just guessing though, because I've heard that having fat around your vital organs is apparently worse than having it on legs and arms say. Maybe some ethnic groups tend to accumulate it in different areas more than others.

Research has shown that some people who are from global majority ethnicities have health complications e.g. type 2 diabetes at lower BMIs.

As well as BMI you need to measure your waist size, heart rate, and if possible get your body fat measured.

When I used to get my BMI etc measured at my GPs surgery they used to tweak it to put me out of the risk range due to the amount and type of exercise I did.

Hip to waist ratios also differ a fair bit between ethnicities and that needs to be taken into account as well. I know Japanese women's H2WR is typically really small compared to some other groups.

I'm assuming the word 'obese' is a stand in for 'at increased risk'.

It’s because the BMI definition of “overweight” is 23 and above for non Caucasians (25 and above otherwise). This is because black and Asian people tend to have more fat deposited around their vital organs despite lower BMI and therefore their risk of metabolic syndrome is higher

Thanks.

I was a little surprised to be classed as overweight at 66kg but it makes more sense when I reconsider the definition of 'overweight'. I was viewing it more in relation to what's viewed as an average/"normal" weight and where I fit. Less so in relation to health, which is more important.

Actually this is nonsense. Black women can have a higher BMI and be healthy as they generally have a higher muscle mass. It's been very well documented. Its South Asian women whose BMI shouldn't be above 23 due to higher visceral fat than white people. I have no idea why the NHS calculator doesn't take this into account!!!

You could get a fat % measurement (those fancy scales or with calipers), if you want a more fine-tuned assessment OP.

BMI is worked out differently according to ethnicities. I’m obese at the moment but as an Asian, the obese range is 27.5 and above. If I input the same information but change my ethnicity to white then obese is anything with BMI of 30 or above so I’d be overweight but not obese.

Probably because they are using US studies?

Anyway BMI is great at population level but crap for individuals.

That's why you need someone who takes other measurements and your life style into consideration regardless of your ethnicity.

Incidentally the second time I was weighted and measured at the GP, the healthcare assistant said only those who were healthy tended to come for those kind of check ups.

BMI seems to work well for me.
I think it may work well for at least some individuals.