BMI rant

[kimpossible67 608]

I've lost 124 lbs now. I'm in a size 12-14. I go to the BMI calculator. That's a kick in the face and worse than a scale! Mine is 32...still obese. Talk about a downer! Avoid the bmi calculator if you are sensitive to a beat down.

[able2cope 193]

Yeah, its a downer alright - I'm the same size as you though probably shorter... bmi sucks! I'm trying to get mine down so I can get skin surgery.. its more difficult now than it was before surgery!

[JamieLogical 8,684]

If it makes you feel any better, I found out the AVERAGE BMI for women in the US right now is 29. So *just* this side of obese. You're barely above average!

[AvaFern 3,516]

I wasn't "normal sized" and not "overweight" until I was 137 pounds. I was stronger, faster, and probably healthier at 150. The BMI chart is just the easiest way to group every person into some type of quantifiable classification of health- if you're muscular it tends to throw off the results. I didn't mind my BMI telling me I was fat- it kept me motivated.

[GreenEyes604 753]

I truly believe that the BMI calculators should be recalibrated. A normal BMI for someone my height would truly make me look anorexic. I'm not sure who came up with these calculations, but geez!

[UK Cathy 977]

I have posted this many times before but you might not have seen it. It takes age into consideration too. Hope it helps

[kimmyco 247]

Wow. Yes. Big kick in the teeth. I just checked mine after reading this article. I have lost 63 pounds and in a size 8 almost 6's. It said my bmi is 26.5 stating I am still overweight.

[CheleLynn45 615]

I have mine on my ticker only so I can see it go down as I lose my weight. I won't be considered "overweight" until I hit 29.9 for my height. The BMI may say obese where I am now, but I DO NOT feel that way at all!!

sticking my tongue out at the BMI chart!! Ah that feels better!! LOL

[Deborah1960 22]

I like the UK version much better. I'm going with that one

[Ms ~V~ 8]

Kim, thank you for posting this! Right before I logged on Bariatric Pal, I was checking my BMI again and your post was the first I read! The entire reason I changed my goal weight was based on that dang chart.

I love this forum. When I have questions, feeling upset, unsure, etc. I come here and you all NEVER let me down. I hardly ever post, but I have been an active reader for awhile now. I find more peace reading on this forum than I do speaking with friends. Don't get me wrong, my friends are extremely supportive but they will never understand the way all of you do.

THANK YOU!

[UK Cathy 977]

Not a UK chart found it on an American site, sorry cannot remember which one.

[ANuMe2014 44]

THANK YOU for posting this!!! I really needed to see it. Although my doctor says I am just about were I should be in my weight loss, looking at the OBESE tag and most recently OVER WEIGHT was depressing for me. Because of your post, I just updated my IDEAL BMI based on these standards.

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1428854690.796771.jpg
I have posted this many times before but you might not have seen it. It takes age into consideration too. Hope it helps

Edited April 13, 2015 by ANuMe2014