obesity and BMI

[rocio]

If someone has a BMI of 30.1 (anything over 30 is considered obese), are they necessarily obese? Doesn't it also depend on age, ethnicity, gender and muscle mass? Is it possible for someone to have a BMI of 30.1 and be in great shape?

[Shiranai]

BMI is a grossly inaccurate scale, and here is why. (It baffles me that people use it at all.)

 

"Body mass index (BMI) or Quetelet Index is a statistical measure of the weight of a person scaled according to height. It was invented between 1830 and 1850 by the Belgian polymath, Adolphe Quetelet during the course of developing "social physics". "

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It's invented because Adophe Quetelet thought social status determines a person's weight. It wasn't used to access health until 1950's when quite obviously... someone's head wasn't screwed on right.

 

It takes into no account your health, your muscle to fat ratio, your body fat ratio, or really, anything at all. You could be big boned and it'll still say you're obese.

 

Toss BMI out and just live healthily.

[sarey]

Muscle plays a huge part.

 

People who are very muscley and big boned may look in good shape but weigh ALOT.

 

I know someone whos so skinny and has ALOT of muscle, and he weighs 16 stone.

[JeckyllNHyde]

i agree that BMI isn't accurate.

i have a few friends, male, and they are far from obese, not really overweight either, more down the middle or "fit". and the BMI says they are "overweight".

[Darkness_Falls]

I remember reading about BMI on a website and I decided to find mine out. It came out as 34. Apparently I am obese. I wouldn't say that I am, but I would say I'm a bit overweight. It got me really down until my friends pointed out to me that I really am not at all obese.

 

Load of rubbish I think.

[15 Storeys High]

Body Fat % and waist measurement are better indicators as to whether someone should lose weight to improve their health. The BMI can be used in conjunction but it isn't ideal. Doctors should be using common sense along with it (most don't) and not rely on BMI alone. It can be used to help teach a more healthy weight range to aim for epecially in the obviously overweight.

[CaptainPlanet]

If someone has a BMI of 30.1 (anything over 30 is considered obese), are they necessarily obese? Doesn't it also depend on age, ethnicity, gender and muscle mass? Is it possible for someone to have a BMI of 30.1 and be in great shape?

 

My BMI has never really been below 28 or 29. I'm tall and I am just big all over, in proportion technically. So my BMI is always out.

 

I was playing Aussie rules for a mens team getting paid 100 bucks a game, running my ass off all week, but technically obese. Not always the case at all.

[ghost69]

i've been in fitness all my life. i really have taken care of myself the last 6 years. i have never used BMI for anything.