Why does the BIM even exist?

Question

So I’m a tall woman but not that tall, 5’8 and I am 206lbs and wear a size 16.
My doctor said I need to cut the carbs, lay off the junk food and I’m just making it worse and I’ll gain more weight. I was thin until I hit puberty. I was 150 and quite frankly I don’t wanna be that thin again. I don’t wanna be thin. I wanna be healthy and fit.
It said my BMI said I’m obese but I do NOT look obese. I have a flabby belly and I’m unfit but I’m not fat. I’m not listening to the BIM! I had to switch doctors because they said I needed to lose like 40-50 pounds. I’m not going for neither 128 - 158. Seriously. If I lost that much and look skinny I would look sick and terrible. Plus I’m a pear shape, huge thighs which it’s a struggle to tone and I have a large bone structure and my head would look huge in a thin body. Not everyone is built to be thing. Tall ladies are supposed to weight more than short ladies and we carry it well. Not trying to sound condescending but it’s the truth. I’m aiming for 180.

Sonorous · Accepted Answer

I recently heard that the bmi exists because there's actually solid evidence supporting it's general application. We humans are more similar than we are not. It's why a consistent & reliable bell curve can be observed when making many comparisons between us all. The bmi just exists as a generalization tool. Something that highlights an obvious fact that being overweight or underweight is less healthy than being within healthy range. This is not to say that it has no flaws. It's flaws are very apparent if you look for them. But when the average individual lives a healthy lifestyle & eats in ways that reflect health as well, they'll often find that they fall within the healthy range of the bmi zone.

exitseven · Accepted Answer

Okay, BMI is not really a good way to determine what is a healthy weight is. Body Fat Percentage is a better indicator of this. Truthfully though. 206 pounds is too heavy for somebody who is 5;8",
Get some kind of exercise program going , clean up your diet. You will feel and look better.

Beckybooboo · Accepted Answer

BMI is a gimmick! Most doctors I know completely ignore it. It's actually changed through the years, for example, in the eighties, it was twenty lbs higher than it is now. The reason the US has an "obesity" problem, is tied directly to the ridiculous standard set by the BMI.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

You are kidding yourself to justify your greed, laziness and lack of morals.

DJB72 · Answer

BMI is incredibly unreliable. It would classify the entire heavyweight division of boxing and wrestling as morbidly obese.

A better ratio is Body Fat Percentage. Your health is negatively impacted by both too much and not enough fat.

Anonymous · Answer

You could be exercising etc, your healthiest and slimmest ever, and BIM will say you're overweight because you weigh 160lbs (of muscle not fat). I don't take BIM so seriously personally, I think it's a bit outdated.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Why do you even SEE a doctor - when you question their competence? :D Wrap your shape in any word that pleases you... the shape still will be the same.

slatyb · Answer

The history of the BMI is readily found online. It sounds like you just wanted to vent. It's your life. Do what you want.

Anonymous · Answer

If doctors had their way everybody would look wiry. As long as you're healthy that's all that matters.

elaphe · Answer

Do you mean BMI?

Why does the BIM even exist?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Why does the BIM even exist?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.