Just thoughts: Who defines "overweight"?

[bobbijolackie@hotmail.com 0]

Hi All,

My husband and I had a good laugh last night as I went through the BMI listing in one of my information booklets. I had to "break it to him" that he was overweight.

Although we laughed at this, we also were concerned. Now I am clearly in the morbidly obese area. I LOOK like I am that obese. I have health like I'm that obese, it is clear I have a high BMI. My husband, however, works out 4-5 days a week, has a slim build and plenty of muscle. People look at him and see a handsome, slim, healthy man. Yet according to the BMI scoring, he needs to lose 40+ lbs. And to be honest, he would look like a skeleton. He is too tall to not turn out lanky.

So I wonder who defines overweight? How has the optimum BMI been determined? Even on the old system, my husband needed to lose 30lbs. But he clearly does not. He is very healthy and fit.

[lellow 1,713]

BMI is defined ONLY by weight vs height and doesn't take into account muscle, bone density or any other factors.

My brother is a personal trainer, one of the fittest people I know and is classed as obese according to the BMI. He is 42, has a body fat percentage of 18 and is muscular. The BMI doesn't relate to people like him.

But barring these exceptions, the BMI is pretty spot on for MOST people who aren't working out all the time.

I wouldn't worry your husband fitting into any BMI 'mould'. It's obvious that he's fit and healthy and that's all that matters.

Edited November 4, 2010 by lellow

[Boo_68 6]

Not everyone "fits" into the broad spectrum of the BMI Chart. My Doctor took all my physical attributes when deciding what weight was good for me. I'm 5'8, and with the help of my Lapband have lost 130 lbs. I'm a very lean 168 lbs...according the Charts still overweight, but my Doc says I don't need to lose anymore. I recommend to everyone to not define what your ideal weight should be, just by the BMI Chart...but also consult your Doctor. Best of Luck!!

[Cali Sal 0]

Height and Weight BMI measurements are the least accurate. When I was in the Army we had to have our BMI measured every 6 months or so, if you were above BMI of 21 or so they'd take your measurements. Neck, chest and belly...another way to check your BMI is with a tool that pinches you fat on your arms. Of the three, height and weight is the least accurate. If you want to know you actually BMI have it measured another way. People have such different body types that it's impossible to use height and weight.

[Jachut 487]

BMI has been pretty well explained above, its skewed for the very muscular.

By and large, people with a BMI over 30 will have too much body fat for optimal health though.