Do you dare take the BMI challenge?

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Andy BB

Full Member
Apr 19, 2010
3,290
1
Hampshire
Mate of mine in the RAF was a competitive body builder.
He had his BMI checked as part of his Medical.
He was clinically Obese according to BMI despite having around 4% body fat.
It's a waste of time.

When averaged with me, we're both in good shape:)
 

Mikey P

Full Member
Nov 22, 2003
2,257
12
53
Glasgow, Scotland
BMI still has validity, but mainly as a statistical measure of population characteristics. It is far more useful in combination with things like Waist Circumference. As has been pointed out, it has many failings but what we actually want to know is body composition. External measurements will also miss the TOFIs (thin outside, fat inside!) who have high levels of mobile visceral fat, which increases risk of cardio-vascular disease significantly! Unfortunately, at present, the best methods for measuring body composition are DEXA, hydrodensitometry and doubly-labelled water, all of which take time, money and need specialist equipment.

The electrical bioimpedance devices are ok-ish - unfortunately, standardisation is the issue and everyone should only be measured following an overnight fast, no exercise in previous 24 hrs, same levels of hydration, etc. Nutritional and hydration state affect impedance, as do the the points you measure between (foot-to-foot, foot-to-hand, etc).

I've always found the best methods are to eat healthily, look in the mirror to check your body shape, make sure you can still see your feet and lose some weight if your trousers are getting too tight. Simples.
 

WolfCub

Forager
Aug 6, 2008
228
0
Bucks
Well, I'm in the top 5% Nationaly and the TOP 1% GLOBALY !

Is that good or what ! Sounds like a result to me ...

... by the way ... has anyone heard of Micronesia before ?:confused:
 

tinderbox

Forager
Feb 22, 2007
195
1
61
East Lothian
I've always found the best methods are to eat healthily, look in the mirror to check your body shape, make sure you can still see your feet and lose some weight if your trousers are getting too tight. Simples.

My waste size can vary four inches, 32" - 36", and BMI remains constant at 27.
 

Wook

Settler
Jun 24, 2012
688
4
Angus, Scotland
According to the doohickey I'm the fattest man on earth and belong on a south pacific island somewhere.

I take issue with the former statement, and am OK with the latter ;)
 
Just done this having just had a full medical that gave me a body fat of 15% and a bmi of 29... I add 64931502 tonnes to the total weight of the world. Im quite happy to be this size, people dont seem to mess you about when you look like you could eat them :D
 

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