[Jim Robinson]

As always, follow the money. And lately, the lust for power.

[a fool in paradise]

It’s built off the same bullstalin that gave us “somatotyping” which said that there were ideal body shapes/proportions and that non-ideal types might indicate certain behavioral flaws as well (withdrawn, etc.).

Should men and women weigh the same? No accounting for muscle vs. fat?

It’s an “easy” calculation but as bogus as the grain heavy food pyramid we saw under Herr Clinton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somatotype_and_constitutional_psychology

[E. Pluribus Unum]

The formula for BMI has a square in it, instead of a cube. Weight is proportional to volume, which is a cubic measurement.

For that reason alone, BMI is not very accurate.

Short people can be quite pudgy and have a satisfactory BMI.

Tall people can be beanpoles and have an unsatisfactory BMI.

[RBStealth]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waist-to-height_ratio

[dirtboy]

I was in superb shape in my late twenties. And BMI had me as borderline obese. It makes no accommodation for muscle mass being heavier than fat.

[Pollster1]

If you are interested, have a professional measure your body fat (calipers are fine), which is what BMI is estimating. However, I’m not sure which direction is better in times of unrest. In extended times of unrest, a little extra body fat can carry you through lean times on limited food. A little extra body fat can also slow you down in case of violence. Look at how you plan to live in case of unrest and choose accordingly, but don’t assume there is a single right answer.

[qam1]

According to the BMI Index, all these guys are morbidly obese.

Well except maybe the guy on the left and the guy squatting, they according to the BMI index are just borderline obese.

[wolfman23601]

The best way to determine if you need to lose weight is to look in the mirror. BMI doesn’t take into account bone or muscle density and thus can give false impressions.

[EEGator]

BMI is useless. Eat healthy, exercise, sleep plenty, don’t drink or do drugs, and look good naked.

[lurk]

It doesn’t factor in body structure. Most athletes have high BMI’s.

Take the BMI chart with a grain of salt, as a basic reference. Focus your attention on your waist size at the level of your belly button and see how much you can reduce that number.

[IamConservative]

I'm on a mission to get into better shape in my early fifties

I've been doing the same. Results come a lot slower now than they did in my testosterone fueled youth.

[areukiddingme1]

Pretty accurate...I suppose...

[Arlis]

BMI is so blatantly stupid it’s hard to believe any medical professionals accept it.

First clue is a man and a woman of the same height are supposed to have the same weight. Duh! That exposes it immediately.

And anyone in very good shape with a lot of muscle is obese or way obese!

[RobertClark]

The ‘B’ in BMI should stand for Bull$&it! I’m 6’3” and 270lbs. I bench press 495, ride a couple hundred miles per week on my bike and eat no carbs or wheat products. Yet, I’m morbidly obese according to the BMI charts. My body fat percentage would make a lot of people blush!

[oh8eleven]

In my efforts to be prepared for the civil unrest that is undoubtedly coming, I'm on a mission to get into better shape in my early fifties
Better shape for what, hand to hand combat? Running away? You won't stand a chance.
Better to focus on becoming an expert with whatever weapon you have in the house.
Don't have one? Then you must not think the civil unrest is really going to happen.

[Paradox]

For the average person, its a fairly good guide. For people with a lot of muscle mass, not so much.

[Straight Vermonter]

Recent studies have shown that those in the "overweight" range have a lower risk of stroke and some heart issues than those in the "healthy" range. That being said, once your BMI crosses 30 your risk for these problems escalates dramatically. As someone else pointed out, the height to weight calculation is sort of an educated guess about what your real body composition is. Your doctor can be a good deal more accurate with a pair of calipers or if you want to get really serious you can go for hydrostatic weighing.

I wonder if any FReepers would be interested in doing a weight loss group on here. A little mutual support / competition can be helpful.

[bgill]

If you wear anything over a size 0, you’re overweight these days.

[discostu]

Completely unreliable. The basics for it come from the same set of scientists trying to “prove” the same things as phrenology. Why modern scientists picked it up is kind of inexplicable, but it’s a silly idea.

[Pharmboy]

Here's something a little better.