Is BMI mostly accurate?

Question

Hidden_P · Accepted Answer

No.

BMI was introduced during the war when rations and many people were army ready. Times have changed. Not just food and active ness but people are taller nowadays too.

BMI is a GUIDE and this is something medics especially love to forget. When I was at my slimmest the medics would say “well you look ok, pop on the scales” “gosh you’re heavy!” And measured me and I was above. But they all went “... but your slim” now I’m overweight they adore telling me fat in multiple ways. At my peak I was muscled and I live on a hill so my legs especially are strong. The medics refuse to accept any up to date knowledge so I’m eternally “fucking massive” on the bmi scale

Aurora10 · Accepted Answer

No. Historically it wasn't even created to be a measure of ideal body weight; it was created as more of a compilation of averages. Also, it only takes into account height and weight. It doesn't differentiate between weight from muscle or weight from fat. Many athletes and weight lifters are considered obese based on BMI but have very low body fat percentages. My ideal weight based on body fat percentage is overweight per the BMI. I'm 5'3," but I could never weight what the BMI says I should unless I starved myself.

Kurαȷ · Accepted Answer

BMI is mostly accurate.
BMI is less accurate the more your body shape deviates from the median, particularly, how short/tall you are.

Very short people have to *add* points to their BMI, while very tall people have to subtract points from their BMI.
You can always look for a calculator online that adjusts the BMI for height and ethnicity.

It will also be inaccurate if you have more muscle mass than the average person, but that only applies to people who spend a lot of time in the gym.
A person who does not do strength exercises regularly is going to have average muscle mass.

englisc · Accepted Answer

It's mostly accurate for the average person. For someone who trains and has a lot of muscle on their frame not so much. I have a BMI of 27.5 putting me firmly in the overweight category, but I'm at about 15% bodyfat, which isn't "ripped" but it's not high.

Massageman · Answer

Too many variables, especially for weightlifters and serious athletes. Water displacement test is the gold standard.

naijagurl · Answer

Not really. It doesn’t take a lot of things into account, especially muscle and fat content which says a lot about whether or not you’re actually healthy. Since muscle weighs should more than fat, if you have a lot of muscle your BMI could indicate that you’re overweight or even obese.

BeMuse · Answer

Nope. The more average you are the better it is. If you’re very tall, have a large frame and a lot of muscle it thinks you’re a fat ass. If you are very short and petite it thinks you’re a starving Somalian… If you’re average height and average build it’s a reasonable estimate.

PondyPand · Answer

No as it doesn't take into account muscle to fat ratio. Most body builders would be considered morbidly obese.

ShortCircuit · Answer

BMI assumes average muscle mass. Since females are less likely to deviate from average muscle mass than men, it is more accurate for them, but still not entirely accurate.

Anonymous · Answer

No. There are people at my gym with less than 5% body fat who would be called obese if they went by BMI.

TripleAce · Answer

Its good estimate based on average proportions. It won't be good outliers Mainly super short. Super tall. High muscle density. Super low muscle density  But for the majority yes its fine

brownvanilla75 · Answer

Yes it is accurate, but not a perfect measure. If someone weighs more bc they are muscular, it isn't the same as being fat and weighing the same.

Randomawkwardness · Answer

What is the question? Is it accurate how its decided? Whether its accurate in what range of weight you're in?

Thatsamazing · Answer

No, not at all, if what you mean by "accurate" an accurate measurement of body fat percentage. It's simply height divided by weight. That's all. So it's incredibly outdated and needs to be done away with.

FakeName123 · Answer

Absolutely not. For example bodybuilders have horrible BMIs, because muscles weight more than fat. Body-fat percentage is a way better indicator (as long as you don't compare women to men).

simplyaramdomgirl · Answer

BMI is the most accurate measure for healthy weight, since it takes into consideration your height and mass distribution.

Warmapplecrumble · Answer

No I think they should do more accurate tests like body fat and distribution of fat, and blood tests etc.

Seket · Answer

It can work well for guys, but it's not so much for girls because girls have higher body shape variety compared to guys.

Smiley_face101 · Answer

No, some people are more muscular and muscles weigh more then fat

Mädchen · Answer

Muscle weights more than fat and the BMI doesn't take that into account.

young_old_soul · Answer

Because muscle weighs more than fat, people who are very muscular will have a higher BMI which may inaccurately classify them as overweight or obese.

mistixs · Answer

My BMI is 16.2, which is accurate because I have no muscle

LisaLisa89 · Answer

Yes, it's accurate. But in many cases it's also meaningless.

aa180 · Answer

Well doesn't it stand for :Bmi's Mostly Inaccurate? Lol

Anonymous · Answer

There are some issues with it. Muscle weighs more than fat, so many people are labeled as overweight when they're really just muscular.

MysteriousDarkness · Answer

BMI only takes into account two things. 1. A person's height. 2. A person's weight. It does not matter on the level of activity.

CoffeeWC · Answer

It's reliable because it doesn't have a way to distinguish muscle from fat. But I'd still say an extremely low or high BMI is still unhealthy.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes it is nut only if you have an average amount of muscle mass. For athletes and weightlifters it is an unreliable source.

Anonymous · Answer

I think it's reasonably accurate, but it's only intended to be a guideline, and not a 100% accurate assessment of your body.

MlleCake · Answer

Accurate in what way?

EmmaMary · Answer

I tend to use it as a rough guide only.

Logorithim · Answer

Not for very muscular people.

Liam_Hayden · Answer

Not if the person is an athlete.

admles · Answer

BMI is a load of crap, to be honest.

Sunbursted · Answer

BMI does not account for large amounts of muscle

Snakeyes7 · Answer

It doesn’t take muscle into account

Sophie_2301 · Answer

To an extent, yes.

stevejobless · Answer

BMI means nothing

Is BMI mostly accurate?

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