Body Mass Index: RACIST against AMERICANS?

[Hara!]

In my enduring nerdiness, I decided to plug some numbers. Captain America is 6'2" and weighs 240 lbs. He is technically obese, with a BMI of 30.8

George W. Bush has a height of 5'10 or so and weighs 191 lbs.
His BMI is 26. Overweight.

Could it be that this system was designed to HUMILIATE AMERICANS???

P.S.
I'd quit laughing if I were you, Canada. Wolverine's BMI is 53.1
That's MORBIDLY OBESE.

[Old Ape Face]

In my enduring nerdiness, I decided to plug some numbers. Captain America is 6'2" and weighs 240 lbs. He is technically obese, with a BMI of 30.8

George W. Bush has a height of 5'10 or so and weighs 191 lbs.
His BMI is 26. Overweight.

Could it be that this system was designed to HUMILIATE AMERICANS???

P.S.
I'd quit laughing if I were you, Canada. Wolverine's BMI is 53.1
That's MORBIDLY OBESE.

uh I don't see any records from other country's celebrities, thus that is so Biased it doesn't even make me one bit interested o.o

[Shiroiyuki]

I'm technically rated as underweight....so....*shrugs* no comment I guess.

Although I'm not your typical American -- as I only have one ***.

[Old Ape Face]

I'm technically rated as underweight....so....*shrugs* no comment I guess.

Although I'm not your typical American -- as I only have one ***.

Underweight isn't exactly perfect either =/

I am way Underweight for my age, I guess it make up for it in hight but...

[Shiroiyuki]

Underweight isn't exactly perfect either =/

...uh, never said it was. But I don't think BMI is 'racist against Americans'.

People just need to eat less and exercise more if they don't like the way they rate. It's not the system's fault that they ate their weight in Krispy Kremes and now wear size XXXXL :rolleyes:

[Old Ape Face]

...uh, never said it was. But I don't think BMI is 'racist against Americans'.

People just need to eat less and exercise more if they don't like the way they rate. It's not the system's fault that they ate their weight in Krispy Kremes and now wear size XXXXL :rolleyes:

Never said the BMI was racist against Americans either XD I was just pointing out the lack of fitness.

Though I do think most Americans are lazy and out of shape, most of them also have pour vision but are ridiculously good at using their hands, and are somewhat ok in math, and writing.

[Reidar]

I'm 6'0 and 235 lbs, so I'm obese according to BMI. But even if you're not a hardcore lifter, everyone's musculature differs under varying somatotypes, so it's not a sound system.

[Leader Desslock]

I kinda have to take it with a grain of salt. The BMI index says I'd still be at "normal" weight at 136 lbs. I remember when I was 136 lbs, and the amazing health problems I had back then, due to being underweight.

At my current weight, I'm still in the "normal" range. I wouldn't want to get anywhere near the middle of the "normal" range, because my health would decline rapidly around that point. In order to lose enough weight to hit the middle of the "normal" range, I'd have to lose all traces of body fat, then lose another 20 pounds of leg muscle.

Yeah, that'd be healthy.

[KatayokuのTenshi]

Also: America isn't a race.

I doubt that the BMI was invented to humiliate fictional superheroes.

Edit: Or George Bush.

[Xhalen]

I'm beginning to realise that you have way too much free time on your hands, Corny.

[taily]

People just need to eat less and exercise more if they don't like the way they rate. It's not the system's fault that they ate their weight in Krispy Kremes and now wear size XXXXL :rolleyes:

you can't talk, being underweight. no offenced, but it's just as serious as being over.

[Gibb]

I just took a BMI test on my brother's Wii Fit and it said I'm 21.65. 22 is apparently perfect, so i'm in good shape.

[Mr March]

The BMI is supposed to be a guide, not some strictly adhered law. Muscle is also heavier than fat, so people that weight train will skew their BMI results. Also, as someone else mentioned, the BMI doesn't take into account different builds of people very well or their naturally differing muscle/fat ratios. A person might be over or under their BMI, but their particular body shape/build lends weight that is perfectly healthy for their height.

I've almost always been at the end of the normal weight for my height, so the BMI tells me I'm healthy for what it's worth. I fluctuate from 78 to 80 kgs. Currently at 79 kgs and within the normal range.

[fujyoshi]

BMI says that I'm 2 points from overweight ._.

[Xhalen]

Hahah, fatty.

Just kidding, I believe my BMI is like 1002390293, which according to the chart for my height (6') indicates that I should be dead.

[Nathan-the-Axe]

Wow, I am one point over being "underweight". 18.6 be my BMI, I'm 5,5 and 112 pounds.

[GreatNekoKoneko]

Wow, I am one point over being "underweight". 18.6 be my BMI, I'm 5,5 and 112 pounds.

...you is a skinny mofo. eat a sandwich, will ya.

[Shiroiyuki]

^I'm 5'3 1/2" and around 113 lbs now *shrugs*. Used to be a bit lighter, damn you to HELL, MUSCLES!!!!! >_<!


[EDIT] Oh crap, recalculated myself at the new weight (*shakes fists at muscles*). I'm now 'normal'. Back when I weighed 100 -105 lbs THEN I was underweight *sigh*.

[Vaikyuko]

Don't care what my BMI is, because I've been "overweight" for ages despite actually looking like I'm underweight by quite a few pounds (muscle, baby, muscle).

Also: lol @ Wolverine. Adamantium skeleton, y'know?

[Nathan-the-Axe]

Since when were muscles bad? That is what most of my weight is. (damn you martial arts, damn you to HELL!)

[Hara!]

Don't care what my BMI is, because I've been "overweight" for ages despite actually looking like I'm underweight by quite a few pounds (muscle, baby, muscle).

Also: lol @ Wolverine. Adamantium skeleton, y'know?

He has a solid Adamantium skeleton. Give him a break.

Give him a salad.

Fixed for Canadians.

Posted last night.

[Shiroiyuki]

Since when were muscles bad? That is what most of my weight is. (damn you martial arts, damn you to HELL!)

When they bump me up to 113 lbs! :angry:

[Warabit]

My BMI is 26 so i am overweight too. same with others it is muscle. BMI is stupid to follow really.

[f2akid]

I just took a BMI test on my brother's Wii Fit and it said I'm 21.65. 22 is apparently perfect, so i'm in good shape.

I'm pretty much the same BMI. Height 5ft11 and weight 149lb. People always ask me how do I keep fit without excercising (I sometimes wonder if they're taking the piss) but I simply reply 'eating well'.

If I notice my stomach expanding too much I cut down on eating for a couple of days. Once I've had enough of holding back on the fried foods I go all out for a night only to cut down again the next day. I also have a very very fast metabolism, meat is a 6 hour process max in my body. Also a few push ups frequently never hurt anybody.

[Rain]

you can't talk, being underweight. no offenced, but it's just as serious as being over.

My BMI is 16 and I'm healthy, so shut up.

There's no comparison: being overweight (obese) is worse than being underweight.

[Hara!]

My BMI is 16 and I'm healthy, so shut up.

There's no comparison: being overweight (obese) is worse than being underweight.

Haha... skinny.

And no. For most cases, it isn't.

[Rain]

And no. For most cases, it isn't.

Of course it isn't, how can it be? You're American.

[Vaikyuko]

Of course it isn't, how can it be? You're American.

Clearly, you have no idea what you're talking about. Both are bad, but I'm pretty sure being overweight is less of a problem than being underweight, bucko.

[Ken-Ohki]

I'm desperately underweight. So I guess I help bring the average down.

Uh ... I've checked 3 charts and my BMI is actually too low for any of them, it's off the charts!

Second edit: I found another chart that places my BMI at 15. For all you curious types out there.

I'm gonna add again that I actually had a doctor once tell me to increase my intake of fat. That was about 3 years ago. I never really did.

[SlackerDude]

I never really did.

But whyyyyyyy? :( Serriously, you have the perfect excuse to start eating everything you want, as much as you want. If I were you I'd storm every fast food restaurant in town! (Yeah, I know, I'm not very classy :lol:)

[Ken-Ohki]

If I could cut food out of my diet, I would

[SlackerDude]

Really? How come?

Are you married? (Don't worry I am going somewhere with this :naughty:)

[Caine]

My BMI is 16 and I'm healthy, so shut up.

There's no comparison: being overweight (obese) is worse than being underweight.

Not really. The problem is that overweight and underweight are both BS. I'm too fat, but somebody of my height and weight could be in good shape if he had more muscle and maybe a wider build. You could be perfectly healthy at what is underweight for an average person, depending on your frame. However, people who are underweight for their build (not by some BMI BS) can be in serious health trouble; the thing is that it isn't universal, but rather dependent on build and body structure.

[ladyshiro]

Not really. The problem is that overweight and underweight are both BS. I'm too fat, but somebody of my height and weight could be in good shape if he had more muscle and maybe a wider build. You could be perfectly healthy at what is underweight for an average person, depending on your frame. However, people who are underweight for their build (not by some BMI BS) can be in serious health trouble; the thing is that it isn't universal, but rather dependent on build and body structure.

I agree with you as well.

[Spadesy]

you can't talk, being underweight. no offenced, but it's just as serious as being over.

Are you kidding me?

Take a look at what society admires the most...powerful strength, and a muscular look. Guess who has the most "toned" look? Skinny people, not fatties. The lower your fat percentage becomes, the more dramatic your muscles appear, whether or not they serve a highly functional purpose.

Being a big one with a high fat percentage might give a tough impression, but the fact of the matter is, only some of them can move a few miles without working on a heart attack. And in this day and age of modern warfare, the effectiveness of a soldier relies on the ability to be highly mobile...NOT on the ability to lift hundreds pounds of weight that they will never have to lift. Size is a good thing, but in my opinion, very overrated in our society.

Long story short = fat kills. Having too little fat doesn't, unless you're anorexic.

[Caster13]

Being skinny of course is good. But the idea of everyone having to be a size 2 or 3 is just ridiculous. These type of people are basically "Oh no I ate a crouton! *runs to toilet*"

BMI doesn't work for me. My body type isn't like the average person (tall and big build), so I don't fit into that demographic that the system is set up for. It doesn't work for me. It's completely inaccurate, because not everyone has the same type of body build. Hell, if I had a different body build than I have, I wouldn't have made it through getting hit by that car without having no broken bones (though my knee is still hurt). I would've been seriously ****ed up.

[Nathan-the-Axe]

BMI is racist agaisnt people of girth.

[taily]

Are you kidding me?

Take a look at what society admires the most...powerful strength, and a muscular look. Guess who has the most "toned" look? Skinny people, not fatties. The lower your fat percentage becomes, the more dramatic your muscles appear, whether or not they serve a highly functional purpose.


...and? Its just as unhealthy.

[Hara!]

Are you kidding me?

Take a look at what society admires the most...powerful strength, and a muscular look. Guess who has the most "toned" look? Skinny people, not fatties. The lower your fat percentage becomes, the more dramatic your muscles appear, whether or not they serve a highly functional purpose.

Being a big one with a high fat percentage might give a tough impression, but the fact of the matter is, only some of them can move a few miles without working on a heart attack. And in this day and age of modern warfare, the effectiveness of a soldier relies on the ability to be highly mobile...NOT on the ability to lift hundreds pounds of weight that they will never have to lift. Size is a good thing, but in my opinion, very overrated in our society.

Long story short = fat kills. Having too little fat doesn't, unless you're anorexic.

I know plenty of fat guy who have better stamina than most skinny people. Just because they don't look toned, doesn't mean they aren't athletic.

[The Million Dollar Prons]

There's no comparison: being overweight (obese) is worse than being underweight.

There are a lot of problems on both sides, but underweight people don't usually have the mental and social problems overweight people has. Which is essentially the deal breaker.

The only problem is, I think (Reidar can correct me when he gets back from LA) if you're naturally underweight it's hard for you to become muscular. I'm pretty sure it's easier for someone with a naturally big frame to look like a heavyweight boxer than it is for a naturally tiny person.

You'll never see an underweight person only posting headshots on the internet to hide their flat tummy.

[Nathan-the-Axe]

Every side has it's extremes, but not averaging them in, it would be much more desirable to be underweight than overweight.

[Nathan-the-Axe]

Also it kind of makes people who may have a muscle mass look fat. Shaq is like 300 pounds, and for his height he would probably be morbidly obese according to the scale, but it is all muscle.

[Spadesy]

I know plenty of fat guy who have better stamina than most skinny people.

There are exceptions to every rule, no doubt. Some guys with a lot of fat on them can go on forever. But as somebody that frequently exercises with guys of every sort of build, I have found that as a general rule, big 'uns aren't that fast. And people always argue "oh well that guy can carry a pack a lot further, right?" Mm, not really. No matter what your build is, going 12 miles on foot with a 40 pound pack on your back is going to suck - but it can be accomplished by anybody, really.

There are advantages to every sort of build, but given the choice - I'd rather be skinny than fat.

Just because they don't look toned, doesn't mean they aren't athletic.

Never said otherwise. As a matter of fact, I already posted the "generalization disclaimer" sentence in my last post: ...whether or not they serve a highly functional purpose. But nonetheless, I feel it's good to have too little fat instead of too much.

[Rain]

I know plenty of fat guy who have better stamina than most skinny people. Just because they don't look toned, doesn't mean they aren't athletic.

...and? Its just as unhealthy.

Aww, fatties are mad. :( I'm sorry, but I meant no harm by my post, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings.

[Nathan-the-Axe]

Aww, fatties are mad. :( I'm sorry, but I meant no harm by my post, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings.

Be careful, they might sit on you or something! :naughty:

[Hara!]

Aww, fatties are mad. :( I'm sorry, but I meant no harm by my post, I hope I didn't hurt your feelings.

Be careful, they might sit on you or something! :naughty:

6'1", 160 lbs.

Have fun with your bones.

[Nathan-the-Axe]

6'1", 160 lbs.

Have fun with your bones.

That is actually pretty light. I have a friend who is about 5,9 and weights more than you. Much more than you.

[Hara!]

That is actually pretty light. I have a friend who is about 5,9 and weights more than you. Much more than you.

Is she hot?

[Nathan-the-Axe]

Is she hot?

Oh, thats low. Thats low. It's a foreign exchange student from Korea, and it's a guy.

[Bernard_Monsha]

6'1", 160 stone.

Have fun with your bones.

They didn't ask for your girth.

[Hara!]

It's a foreign exchange student from Korea, and it's a guy.

But is she HOT?

[FizzySid]

Everyone here seems really little to me... Is anyone taller than 5'6? o.O

Also, my BMI is 22... That's healthy, right? =S

[Nathan-the-Axe]

But is she HOT?

Persistent are we? Well, I guess you could call him hot, if you were a fat, ugly, girl. ^_^

[Rain]

Persistent are we? Well, I guess you could call him hot, if you were a fat, ugly, girl. ^_^

Which she is.

[taily]

Be careful, they might sit on you or something! :naughty:

Well I myself isn't fat, but I have plenty of plump (E.g weighed 10 stone at the age of 7) friends who I'm sure would be willing to lend a hand, if you twigs are that desprate to get snapped.

[FizzySid]

^ LOL @ that.

[Shiroiyuki]

Well I myself isn't fat, but I have plenty of plump (E.g weighed 10 stone at the age of 7) friends who I'm sure would be willing to lend a hand, if you twigs are that desprate to get snapped.

HEY! I take offense to that! I'm thin, too. And on behalf of us thin, but nice, girls -- GAH! Careful, lady.

Don't mind Rain, you know? She's one of those thin girls who has the attitude :smokin: you sometimes associate with it. I think it's because she's also pretty *sigh*.

We aren't all like that *nods* *cries*.

[taily]

^Sorry, it's just I get concerned; whenever I see a really thin person walking along the street I always get scared they might miss a step and snap clean in half.

[Xhalen]

^Sorry, it's just I get concerned; whenever I see a really thin person walking along the street I always get scared they might miss a step and snap clean in half.

Yowzers, that'd have to be one thin person.

[Sushikins]

I'm just above the "Normal" zone at between 25 & 26, which is an improvement from a couple months ago. I'd still like to lose a bit more around the middle, then I imagine I'd been in the "Normal" zone.

[Holy Knight]

A perfect 22 is where I stand, though even though I weigh 150 pounds at 180 cm, I get the "eat up; you're thin" kind of look. A balanced diet and regular exercise goes a long way, I say.