Your BMI and your health

[David S]

Health officials are making much ado about obesity as measured by the Body Mass Index BMI. But does the BMI really mean anything? I’ve noticed several athletes who fall into the overweight category even though they are in excellent physical shape. You can check your BMI at;
http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm

Then tell us your BMI and give us a self appraisal as to your physical condition. Be honest- no one knows who you are. Just to be fair I’ll tell you mine. My BMI is 23.6 which is normal but I’m in lousy shape. I doubt that I could run a mile unless someone was holding a donut under my nose the whole way.

[??????????]

33.7 but I'm as strong as an ox. I can't run worth a damn but I can lift most anything.

[John Dibble]

23.9 to 24.4, depending on what scale you ask. My shape isn't perfect, but I'd say it's above average. Could be better, but I'm in the process of losing fat and gaining a little muscle.

[Jake]

BMI-23.1
Height-5'10''
Weight-161

Decent shape 8:00 mile and I am an average lifter.

[Alcon]

28.2 and in mediocre shape, but I'm not sure if this works right at my age.

[ilikeverin]

My weight and height have changed too much recently for me to know

I'd say I'm in mediocre shape, though.  Not 'poor' (I finally got under a 9:00 mile earlier this school year ), but probably not average.  Hm.

{Penn and Teller are on West Wing right now and they're acting all Libertarian It's so quaint.  That was your random thought of the day.}

Judging by the backache I have right now, I think my spine either increased in length recently or will soon.  Woot!

[Redefeatbush04]

Height - 5 foot 11 (maybe a little taller)
Weight - 160 (should be right)
BMI - 22.3

During the summer I jogged about 4 miles every other day (I jogged 9 one day). Never timed myself though. I used to be really active too, but since school started I have gotten in worse shape.

(shouldn't this be under individual politics)

[Gabu]

Height: 5'8"
Weight: 132 lbs.
BMI: 20.1

I'm in average shape.  I'm capable of average levels of physical exertion, but nothing stupendous.

[David S]

Just a couple of examples of people who qualify as overweight but are in great shape.

Universtiy of Michigan running back Mike Hart listed on the roster as 5'-9" and 194# has a BMI of 28,6 , well into the overweight range. And yet he is in outstanding physical condition.

George W Bush is reported to be just under 6 feet and 190 lb that puts him just into the overweight range. But he runs marathons which is an  amazing feat even for a young man, but really incredible for a man his age. Reportedly he is pretty quick too.

[Gabu]

Well, the BMI doesn't take into consideration the fact that your weight might be muscle mass instead of fat mass, although I suppose that was the entire point of this topic.

[Nym90]

I'm 6'3", 230 lbs. So I have a BMI of 28.7. I'm a little overweight, but in pretty good shape overall. I'm big boned, so I hide the weight pretty effectively. I am pretty physically active, so that's not a problem for me.

[David S]

Well, the BMI doesn't take into consideration the fact that your weight might be muscle mass instead of fat mass, although I suppose that was the entire point of this topic.

It seems to me that several things make it rather inaccurate. As you pointed out it can't determine if you are fat or muscular.
As far asI can tell it doesn't differentiate between men and women, and it doesn't consider age, or bone size. So my guess is that its not much of an indicator of your overall health.

[DaleC76]

6'3", 175 lbs = 21.9.  I've lost a lot of weight and muscle mass since my high school football days, but I think I'm in the best shape of my life right now.

[12th Doctor]

Height: 6" 1'

Weight: 200 lbs

BMI: 25.7

Shape: A little below average.  I'm normally decently above average, but I've had a rough 6 months.

[Storebought]

This is a good reason why BMI and other health fads should be eliminated entirely. According to this measurement, George Washington himself would be 'overweight' (at 6'2" 220 lb), even though he was invariably described by contemporaries as 'fit like an Indian.' If these health nazis had their way, The Father of Our Country would be a 6'2" 160 lb stripling.

These people should realize that Americans of all races are, naturally and healthfully, just larger than other people.