bmi

my theapist says bmi isnt accurate for tall people , i always thought bmi is the best indicator

That's interesting - I've never heard the thing about it being inaccurate for tall people. I know it has it's flaws because it doesn't take into account body fat % and muscle % - and muscle weighs more than fat anyway.

I think it's a useful tool for those recovering from eating disorders because it gives you a number bracket of a "healthy" weight to aim for. I still think it's a useful thing to use as a guideline but not something to live and die by.

thanks izzy

That is interesting.....Im 5ft10.5 and my therapist, dietician and doctor have never said that to me, and they've always gone by my bmi...what height are you, if you don't mind me asking, tessa1223?

Seeing as the bmi chart caters for pretty much all heights I dont see why it wouldnt be as accurate for tall people; what reasoning does your therapist give?

x

No - its innaccurate for athletes. you should be aiming for a bmi of 20 or higher

thanks fidget

im about the same height as you . she just said it was todo with frame size (im of large frame size) she also used the example of the consultant whos 6ft 1 and his bmi is classed as over weight but he looks extremely think she said alot of the people who are tall dont look there bmi they look lower

It's not that muscle weighs more than fat, its that muscle is more dense than fat. Therefore athletes and those in training are sometimes inaccurately assessed as overweight when they really just have a lot of muscle. The muscle is lean, obviously, and they are slim and in good form, but because they have a lot of muscle packed into their 34 waists for guys or their size 8's for women, they may be at the higher end of the spectrum.

BMI is pretty darned accurate on the other end of the spectrum, meaning those who are underweight and slight.