# What is your BMI? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 2, 2013, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891 "2013-01-02T23:02:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/21 "2013-01-03T04:13:58Z")
18.2, underweight according to my doc. _eats donut_ ---
**Author:** ![I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/858c86/32.png) [@I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Made_French_Toast_For_You)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/22 "2013-01-03T04:22:06Z")
> [@interface2x](#): > > 21.3 - I picked up some weight in the last couple of years so I’m finally in the coveted “average” bucket. Suck it, **I Made French Toast For You**. Make some for yourself next time! 😃 _eats french toast_ ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/23 "2013-01-03T04:26:55Z")
18.8 Pretty much meaningless, however. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/24 "2013-01-03T04:32:42Z")
16.8. I’m a picky eater with a wonky appetite. I assume I’ll get fatter as I get older. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/25 "2013-01-03T04:39:40Z")
I count as class 1 obese BMI about 30. However, I can swim at least a quarter mile with no difficulty, and that’s after 40 minutes of strength and/or aerobic exercise. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/26 "2013-01-03T04:49:26Z")
> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > I’m surprised that everyone is so aware of how much they weigh. It’s been at least 35 years since I’ve looked at a scale. I don’t own a scale and very rarely weigh myself; I use the mirror as my source of feedback. However, since I am acutely aware of my body and I don’t really fluctuate too much, it was a safe bet to assume my weight here. > [@DSeid](#): > > I think you are confusing BMI with body fat percent. Me too. I have actually had my bodyfat measured more times than I’ve been weighed; at least over the past several years. The reason BMI is so useless for me is because I have extremely atrophied (skinny) legs and lower body, so it gives a skewed result. This is in addition to the already mentioned reasons of it being a not-very-good indicator for overall fitness. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/27 "2013-01-03T04:49:44Z")
I also used the calculator for body fat ratio and waist/hip ratio and came out as “acceptable” and “low risk” respectively. I notice that these calculations do not take age into consideration. Personally I think I’m not too bad for and old lady. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/28 "2013-01-03T04:56:54Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > I also used the calculator for body fat ratio and waist/hip ratio and came out as “acceptable” and “low risk” respectively. IME, any sort of bodyfat test other than the caliper “pinch” test or an underwater submersion test is highly unreliable and the caliper test should be administered by a professional with fair amount of experience giving the tests. Honestly, bodyfat tests are a minefield for error and misinformation. The underwater tests are the “holy grail” of bodyfat tests and give the most detailed, accurate results. They are also, by far, the most difficult to find, to access and most expensive of all the tests. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/29 "2013-01-03T05:05:24Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > I count as class 1 obese BMI about 30. However, I can swim at least a quarter mile with no difficulty, and that’s after 40 minutes of strength and/or aerobic exercise. So? What the fuck’s that got to do with anything? ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/30 "2013-01-03T05:13:12Z")
It’s got to do with the fact that a single number such as BMI can be misleading. I’m indicating that I’m in reasonably good shape for a person my age. You might be interested in [this article](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/health/study-suggests-lower-death-risk-for-the-overweight.html?ref=health) from the New York Times. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/31 "2013-01-03T05:16:32Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > I can swim at least a quarter mile with no difficulty, and that’s\*\* after 40 minutes of aerobic exercise\*\*. (my bold) Like swimming?😃 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/32 "2013-01-03T05:20:53Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > It’s got to do with the fact that a single number such as BMI can be misleading. I’m indicating that I’m in reasonably good shape for a person my age. You might be interested in [this article](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/health/study-suggests-lower-death-risk-for-the-overweight.html?ref=health) from the New York Times. The way I see it, you’re fat, and you can swim. Congratulations. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/33 "2013-01-03T05:24:35Z")
Why, yes, I do. [ETA: this is in response to Ambivalid.] What I obviously meant was that my typical workout consists of a rowing machine, an elliptical machine and on alternate days some weight machines. After that, I go swimming, and I can do a quarter mile. If I skip the “dry” exercises, I can swim a lot farther, but I think it’s better for me to have the variety even though the only thing I come close to enjoying is the swimming. So, again, regardless of my being overweight according to the numbers, I’m in reasonable shape for an old lady. I’m not as fit as I was three decades ago, but there’s a lot of water over the bridge since then, so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/34 "2013-01-03T05:25:18Z")
Mine went up to 21.5 in the last few months (it was 19), but the added weight went in all the proper places. Oh yes. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/35 "2013-01-03T05:26:17Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > The way I see it, you’re fat, and you can swim. Congratulations. Gee, thanks for the kind words. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/36 "2013-01-03T05:31:41Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > Gee, thanks for the kind words. :dubious: Sorry, but I’d have to gain 50 pounds to be at your BMI. 50 pounds! ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/37 "2013-01-03T06:16:05Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > yeah, well, I’ve spent most of my life as a blob, and I’m sick of it. what else do I have to go on? OK, I just never really cared what I weighed as long as felt OK with it. I have weak abdominal muscles (or diaphragm control) so my belly has stuck out since childhood. I didn’t go shirtless often, but was comfortable otherwise. If I spent my life as a blob, I’d want to do something about it but probably wouldn’t worry about BMI or weighing myself. I’d go with whatever made me comfortable. But that’s just me, body issues are always difficult to deal with. I’m going to make a guess on my weight and say that my BMI is 24.3. I estimate that I was down to 21.2 three years ago but that was because I packed up a large apartment myself and moved a few states over. I just read today that being pudgy means longer longevity, but those health write-ups contradict each other daily. I also remember reading that a healthy person gains one pound a year up through their sixties. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/858c86/32.png) [@I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Made_French_Toast_For_You)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/38 "2013-01-03T06:32:27Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Sorry, but I’d have to gain 50 pounds to be at your BMI. 50 pounds! And I’d have to gain 35 pounds to be at your BMI. I’ll repeat the question you asked earlier: So? What the fuck’s that got to do with anything? ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/39 "2013-01-03T08:13:06Z")
21.4. However, I need to tone up and lose 10-15 more lbs to get to my goal weight by the time I am 50. I have 10 months from today to get there. ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891/40 "2013-01-03T12:15:54Z")
> [@MLS](#): > > It’s got to do with the fact that a single number such as BMI can be misleading. I’m indicating that I’m in reasonably good shape for a person my age. You might be interested in [this article](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/health/study-suggests-lower-death-risk-for-the-overweight.html?ref=health) from the New York Times. Yesterday they said this: The report on nearly three million people found that those whose B.M.I. ranked them as overweight had less risk of dying than people of normal weight. And while obese people had a greater mortality risk over all, those at the lowest obesity level (B.M.I. of 30 to 34.9) were **not more likely to die than normal-weight people.** Today they said this: In this meta-analysis that looked at 2.7 lahk\* deaths that occurred in the US, Europe, Mexico, India, Israel, Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, China and Australia, researchers found a **18% higher risk of death** for obesity - BMI equal or higher than 30 and a 29% increased risk of death among those whose BMI was higher than 35. [Times Of India](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Obese-people-at-29-higher-risk-of-premature-death/articleshow/17871603.cms) Both these articles quote the same damn report, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Pay no attention to your BMI. Pay no attention to doctors telling you how much you should weigh. Nobody really knows all that much about what’s healthy and what’s not. Jim Fixx, who started this whole fitness thing in the US, kicked the bucket at 52 from a heart attack. It’s all about the individual and their genetics. Do what makes you feel comfortable. Stop listening to doctors who barely stop to look you in the eye before they zip off to look at another patient. - lahk = 100,000 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-bmi/645891.md?page=3)