Why does the BMI calculator say I am obese?

[Anonymous]

It says a normal weight for 5'6 should be 114-154. If I were that weight I would look like a rail! I am like 210 and I think ideally 180 would be a good weight for me because of how my body is structured. People always think I weigh less than I do anyway.

[luv2cheer]

as a nutrition and health major graduate, i can tell you that BMI is NOT an accurate way to define oneself. bmi doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat weight. so a person who lifts weights and builds bulk will have a BMI of 25+ which is obese simply due to the fact that they are muscular. furthermore, it depends on your body build. some men can be shorter but like i said, weight train a lot and be heavy for that raeson, while others may simply be overweight.

i am a good example of not fitting into the categories. i am a varsity athlete, who eats extremely healthy, and works out 5-6 days a week to stay in shape. im very petite 5'3 and weigh anywhere from 110-115. BUT i am unbelievalby healthy. the scales may say im underweight, but im actually not. it is simply the way my body is. my mom is also petite and my metabolism is extremely fast so you have to consider that as well.

if you think you are overweight, i would recommend looking into healthier ways of eating. eating is the most important component. BUT dont startve youreself. it doesn't help

[emmabee11]

BMI isn't accurate because it also counts muscle as fat, it's the most stupid way of measuring known to man so far... lol don't follow it... or at least understand that what the BMI says take off a couple stone because your muscle is heavy and whatever weight is says you should be add a couple stone and that should be your weight.

[Anonymous]

the bmi calculator is so stupid because it doesn't take muscle mass into account. I'm 6'4" and somewhat muscular at 210 lbs and it also says i'm overweight when I'm clearly not.

branden oliver, a running back for the chargers is 5'8" 208 lbs and the bmi calculator says he's obese when obviously he isn't. he's just built.

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[Opinion Owner]

you don't need a calculator to know if you're fat. you just need a mirror.

[madhatters4]

well it's not stupid. it's a gauge. but like all things you can't just rely on one factor to determine health. cholesterol is a measure of overall health but it isn't the only measure right? so it doesn't mean cholesterol scales are stupid it just means they are limited in painting an overall picture

[Opinion Owner]

no it is stupid because it's calculating a ratio without taking all the variables into account. that's what makes it stupid and less effective than a mirror.

Cholesterol isn't calculated as a ratio that ignore variables. it's either too high or too low. that's a terrible analogy.

[madhatters4]

210 is definitely overweight for being 5'6

I'm 5'7 and 150lb and trust me I am no rail.

why does it say that your weight is obese? because it is... sorry to say

[Asker]

I am aware that it is overweight... but not obese... so I question how this system suggests people should weigh way less than they need to. Part of that range is what a girl would weigh at my height and still be in good shape.

[madhatters4]

bmi is only one factor. go to a doctor and ask him what's what. bmi really refers to fat content so plenty of athletes may be considered obese but in fact they are just overweight due to muscle.

don't let one gauge of health affect you. go to a doctor and ask him... but in all honesty 210 at 5'6 does sound like you should shed some weight

[cantsaylol]

It's not accurate, only way to accurately tell if the individual is overweight or not is by the body fat not their actual weight,

I'm around 170-172 lbs , calculator states I'm average but I consider my self to be atheletic or fit because I'm below 10% body fat, my pic is when I was 7% @ 166lbs Im guessing I'm about 8-9% now

[cantsaylol]

I'm 5'10 and half lol

[meatballs21]

BMI is not a perfect science by any means, and it can't handle stuff like being very muscular.

I'm 6'2 175 and people tell me I'm too thin.

[Asker]

175 is too thin for 6'2

[meatballs21]

According to BMI, it's closer to being over than under, it's 22.5.

I look okay - it's the way I've always been.

[Anonymous]

I am 5'6" and 175 lbs and I'm very muscular but I could easily drop 10 lbs of fat. So at 210 if you don't look like Arnold Schwarzenegger then you are carrying a lot of fat

The BMI scale sucks due to not considering muscle weight so that scale is worthless

[harakiri]

your muscle mass is skewing your BMI.
BMI is like the WORST way to assess health/fitness.

[NateInAk]

180 would be a good weight for me at 6' 2"
I think that may be a little heavy for you, unless you've got some real muscles.

[Redstang88]

Because BMI is useless. If you have any significant amount of muscle, it is wrong. I know guys with noticeable abs that have bmi over 30 because they have a lot of muscle.

[BertMacklinFBI]

because its not accurate.

[kheserthorpe]

How miuch do you lift?

What's your waist?