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Your BMI calculator states I'm at 26 but my calculation says BMI 16. Why the difference?
Asked by anonymous on Jun 25, 2008
in Weight Loss
As a male at age 54, I work out regularly and have a muscle-toned body. My waist measures 34 inches. Still, I feel that I need to lose 15 to 20 pounds. Your calculation says my ideal weight should be 146 lbs. That seems to low for my type of body. I presently weigh 185. Should I try to lose 39 pounds?
Answer
Your BMI is 26, but your ideal weight is not 146 lbs. For your height of 5’8”, the adequate weight range (BMI 19-24.9), is 125 – 158 lbs. The weight at the high end is for people with large bones and for most men, but some athletes have a BMI in the overweight range (BMI 25 – 29.9) because of increased muscularity rather than extra fat. But, as a predictor of obesity-related disease risk, an individual’s waist circumference is more important. A man’s waist circumference should be less than 40 inches and a woman’s should be less than 35 inches.
So you can keep track of what you eat - which enables you to analyze your foods and receive the following:
- Health Score of your overall diet
- Warning when you approach your daily calorie limit
- Overview of the good and bad nutrients