[Vigilanteman]

In this case, participants report their height and weight, which survey analysts use to calculate a BMI. Those with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered at a healthy weight, those with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight, and those with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese. About 32% of the nation is obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control; Memphis ranked above the national average at 34%.

And herein lies the problem. If you aren't built like Barbie or Ken, you are obese by these loose standards.

Look at this site by our national institute for health.

My BMI is 30.6, so I'm obese by these standards. On the other hand, Troy Polamalu, my favorite player on the Pittsburgh Steelers is 30.4. I think my age justifies the 0.2 difference. Alan Faneca, left guard for the team, is 36.4. Even Jeff Reed, our kicker, is 31.4. Willie Parker, our speedy halfback, is right on the line at 30.0. I could go on, but you get the point-- probably 75% of the Pittsbugh Steelers, one of the best teams in the AFC, is obese by these asinine BMI standards.

[weegee]

50% of the world (50% of the US, 50% of Europe, 50% of New Zealand...) has been reported to be “obese” by BMI standards.

And they make no distinction between the build of a man or a woman.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

And herein lies the problem. If you aren't built like Barbie or Ken, you are obese by these loose standards.

Precisely right. BMI does not take muscle mass into account; as a result, as you illustrate, some of the world's greatest athletes can be considered "obese" by this silly standard.

[sharkhawk]

I was 6 ft 1 195 pounds when I graduated college. That put my BMI at 25.6. I was also a swimmer who worked out basically 3 to 4 hours every day and had a body fat percentage of 4 to 5%. No way could I get back to that standard.