The BMI Conspiracy

[Rev. Rye]

Not a conspiracy, just pseudo-science. BMI is is no more useful than a horoscope.

Except that doctors don't use horoscopes. I recently got the Cyclospora and had to go to the doctor for that. There was a BMI chart.

Why did Christian Weston Chandler have to enter into this. *pukes* DX

He's an illustration of the big problem with the BMI: it doesn't account for muscle mass. The guy is 216 lbs. of pure fat, and trolls were in shock when he revealed that, because they thought he had to weigh at least 250.

Screw that. Why does he have a pink baby's mobile on his shelf? (Upper left corner of that pic)?

As far as I understand, it might be a My Little Pony type thing. He's liked it even before Lauren Faust gave people a legitimate reason to like it.

[Napoléon]

I'm with OP, BMI is a load of shit.

[Chas]

Not a conspiracy, just pseudo-science. BMI is is no more useful than a horoscope.

Except that doctors don't use horoscopes. I recently got the Cyclospora and had to go to the doctor for that. There was a BMI chart.

And my doctor thinks it's horseshit.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

BMI isn't a good measure, but is there a replacement? In the public health's point of view, is there a better way to communicate to people that they may need to watch their weight if they are : __________. ? I mean I completely agree that there are better measures, but weight is the easiest measure for everyone, and if someone is worried about their weight because of the BMI chart, they'll see a doctor and get sorted out if need be. Unless they come up with a very accessible way of measuring body fat, i think weight is still the easiest for most people.

[5thHorseman]

BMI isn't a good measure, but is there a replacement? In the public health's point of view, is there a better way to communicate to people that they may need to watch their weight if they are : __________. ? I mean I completely agree that there are better measures, but weight is the easiest measure for everyone, and if someone is worried about their weight because of the BMI chart, they'll see a doctor and get sorted out if need be. Unless they come up with a very accessible way of measuring body fat, i think weight is still the easiest for most people.

Yes.

Body fat %. Someone with over 35% for example, is far more likely to suffer from cardiovascular issues than someone with 18%. It is reasonably easy to measure and it doesn't matter what your build is, 35% body fat is 35% body fat. It's far superior and an accurate way to gauge someone's health.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

Yes I know about bodyfat% but people don't know how to measure that. Well, most people don't.

[5thHorseman]

Yes I know about bodyfat% but people don't know how to measure that. Well, most people don't.

calipers and a mirror. mirror is enough really, google has a lot a of pics of what certain %'s look like on certain physiques.

[pineapplebunnybounce]

Actually yea, it's not all that hard to do if they provide instructions. But googling image is unscientific, XD some guy can just post he has whatever % he likes.

[CapnAwesome]

BMI is crap. It's like something a 4th grader made up. Height to weight doesn't take into account your bone structure, body fat percentage, level of physical activity. Two people who are both 5'10" and 185 lbs can be vastly different in terms of over-all health. But really the best measurement is a general physical fitness test. How fast can you run a mile, how many pushups can you do, etc. That's something that you can easily test at home and something that it's easy to improve on. Some people with low body fat can be horrifically out of shape.

[freedomfromforum]

I weigh 220 @ 5'11"
I have quite a bit more muscle
than I have fat, and my frame
is large in general. I would not
call myself fat, but the BMI disagrees.