bmi
By jenrose930
@jenrose930 (119)
United States
March 25, 2010 10:25pm CST
I personally think that BMI (body mass index) is a load of dog crap and should not be viewed as any sort of reliable way to detect if a person is overweight or not. Pretty much all health classes in high schools, and wellness classes in colleges teach that BMI is the standard way to determine if the participant is overweight.
I am a 5'1" female, and I weigh around 135 lbs. This puts me at the "overweight" side of the spectrum. I am not in denial, but I am NOT overweight. I am a size 2/4 in jeans, and a medium in shirts. I am extremely athletic girl, and have well developed calf muscles. My calf muscles are so developed that I can not wear rain boots, because they do not fit well around my calves. I blame genetics for this problem, but this helps illustrate a problem with BMI. BMI does not incorporate muscle weight into it's calculations, although muscle weighs more than fat.
Does anyone else feel that BMI is inaccurate?
2 responses
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
27 Mar 10
I had never thought about muscle and BMI, but you're right. This BMI gives for granted that it's all fat, and there are many people that weight a lot because they're sports people, so they're not fat but atlethic. I think that the way to detect if a person is overweight is easier, you just have to take a look at his/her body and you'll know immediately 
@jenrose930 (119)
• United States
27 Mar 10
I agree! I have a friend who is very athletic, and is very muscular, but is quite short. I asked him what he qualified under for BMI and he is in the overweight category as well, and is borderline obese.
@catalystsnstars (35)
• United States
26 Mar 10
Wow, seriously, I envy you. I believe you've got a point there about BMI. I am five feet six inches and weigh 160. According to the BMI, i am overweight. Now I'm not toned or anything so it might be right. But if you feel as if you're fine, then don't let the index get to you. I think you're fine, and I'm sure when people look at you they definitely do not think oh she's overweight. So stick to what you're still doing and don't worry none about what anybody says. All opinions are subject to questioning. All!
