Is there an ideal BMI?
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Anonymous
| I’m 43F, lost 20 lbs since February (163 to 143). Height is 5’9”. I’m not sure when I should stop trying to lose weight. I’m worried that if I shift my mentality away from weight loss then I’ll gain back at least some of the weight. Obviously I know that an underweight BMI is bad, but aside from that how do I know when to stop losing?? |
Anonymous
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No, BMI is a ridiculous tool to use and not used by anyone with any knowledge in the field other than for very vague references.
Most professional athletes would be considered "obese" and bodybuilders "morbidly obese" when using BMI and obviously they are not. |
Anonymous
| Focus on body composition not the scale. |
Anonymous
| You’re in the middle of the range now, so I’d probably stop. |
Anonymous
OP here, how do you assess this? A scan of some kind? |
Anonymous
Yeah, I’ve heard of this in the context of the 3 different body types. Based on my wrist circumference I think I’m supposed to be the slim one which is part of what got me started on this journey (in addition to my normal size not fitting as well). —OP |
Anonymous
Some of it can be observed. How muscular are you, particularly in arms and legs? |
Anonymous
Conversely, BMI very accurately predicts the over fat. People just don’t like it, so they shit all over it as a rough tool. I can guarantee 95%+ of people with an overweight or obese BMI in the US are carrying around way too much body fat. That’s just the truth. |
Anonymous
Lots of home based techniques. Just google around to get a rough idea. I wouldn’t bother with a body impedance type device, unless for rough tracking measurement to measurement. If it’s important to you, a dexa scan can be done in lots of places in the area for about $100. |
Anonymous
Not very. My arms and legs have always been fairly slim. I have a larger bust and in the past when I’ve gained weight it’s been fairly evenly distributed but a bit more in the hips/butt/stomach/chest areas. —OP |
Anonymous
. I’ll try googling, thanks! —OP |
Anonymous
The gold standard is the dexa scan. Take progress pictures. Take measurements of your waist. Of course, people who do this measure biceps, quad, calves, etc. I prefer waist because pictures and my lifting give me a rough idea if I’m getting stronger. Waist measurements help me understand if I am adding fat with muscle Some people use calipers but I think they are too imprecise and hard to use. |
Anonymous
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Mortality studies that use BMI say 22+ is when mortality increases.
Your friendly actuary |
Anonymous
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BMI doesn't take into account muscle mass vs fat. At best, it's a VERY rough guideline on obesity.
Two people can have the same BMI (same weight, height, age, etc) and look quite different, if one has more muscle mass and another has more fat. |
Anonymous
| 21 or 22 is the best bmi. Pick one based on how nice your face looks when you are there. |