Why BMI is wrong
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
In the perfect world we'd all be 6'4", have a 32" waist and weigh 150 lbs. I'm 5'9", I'm fairly muscular and overweight and very stalky. I walk 12 miles a day carrying mail, my cholesterol and other internal stuff is fine and yet every year when I get checked by my doc, he says I need to lose weight. But then when I press on him for a reason why, he just says because I should.
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Government Teat-sucker
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia Beach
Once I downloaded the app I discovered that you could sync it to the online version. I prefer to enter my intake on a computer if one is available. Anyway, the BMI scale is on the website under 'tools.'
Yeah! Even the lightning fast receivers and defensive players would be over their ideal BMI.
The only positive I can honestly see from lowering your BMI is less strain on the joints over your lifetime (and I'm just hypothesizing here, no evidence to support it). I guess even a couple of extra pounds around your middle adds up to a couple of extra tons when walking throughout the day. On the other hand, skinny people can have bad knees too. Maybe it just boils down to knowing your own body?
The only positive I can honestly see from lowering your BMI is less strain on the joints over your lifetime (and I'm just hypothesizing here, no evidence to support it). I guess even a couple of extra pounds around your middle adds up to a couple of extra tons when walking throughout the day. On the other hand, skinny people can have bad knees too. Maybe it just boils down to knowing your own body?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: SW Arizona
Unfortunately the BMI index is used as a final rather than as a screening tool. The BMI does not take in account muscle buildup and why weightlifters would flunk these tests. Or anyone else who keeps themselves in shape. My son is 6'2" and just over 210lbs. He is bigboned, works outdoors as a park ranger and very fit. Yet a BMI would say he is obese.
A Marine who works out to keep fit and to carry his or her load could easily find themselves blackmarked because their BMI doesn't fit what they are "supposed" to be.
Muscle weighs more than fat. BMI and bathscale is not a good indicator of weight loss anyway.. How your clothes fit is better. Are you losing inches in the waist? Are you seeing changes in body appearance? It can be subtle and why taking periodic photos of yourself is best.
A Marine who works out to keep fit and to carry his or her load could easily find themselves blackmarked because their BMI doesn't fit what they are "supposed" to be.
Muscle weighs more than fat. BMI and bathscale is not a good indicator of weight loss anyway.. How your clothes fit is better. Are you losing inches in the waist? Are you seeing changes in body appearance? It can be subtle and why taking periodic photos of yourself is best.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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Glad I'm not the only one who thinks the whole BMI thing is bupkis. If I was in my normal range for BMI I would be a skinny little rail...not good for a contractor. I guess according to the BMI, I have been obese since my college days almost 15 years ago.
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