Is body mass index ( BMI ) Actually Reliable? Posted: 11-05-07 00:08am
So, I'm a little self-conscious, not
because I'm in horrible shape, but because
I'm short and stout: it's just a frame.
However, I have this probably bad habit of
checking my BMI, body fat percentage and
waist-to-hip ratio. I feel like I'm in
good shape. I feel like I've been in tons
better shape lately too (even though I
actually gained weight...but I feel less
fat, my pulse actually went down...I have
a feeling I gained lean mass). So, my BMI
isn't out of control. It's only 25.
However, the BMI charts say that I should
be 10 lbs lighter than I currently am.
However, my body fat is only 22% (I'm
female) and my waist-to-hip ratio is
slightly over what it's supposed to be,
but not massively (it's .8...it's supposed
to be .7 for girls). Anyways, should I
trust this BMI suggested weight? It seems
like I'd be really thin if I was that
weight, and I feel like I have a lot of
lean mass (For example, I've got rock
solid lower body because I'm an Irish
dancer).
Advice? I feel like I could lose bits of
flab here and there. Who couldn't? But I
don't feel like I'd be healthy ten pounds
lighter.
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The Mrs
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 451 Location: , Texas
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Posted: 11-05-07 00:20am
BMI's shouldn't be the only factor you
base your ideal weight on... especially if
you have been at all athletic in your
life. In those cases, you can throw BMI's
out the window all together since it
doesn't take into account muscle weight.
I think if YOU think you look good, than
you should not change a thing! I'd kill
to be able to look at my body and say I
think I'm in good shape.
