BMI- Body Mass Index

what is a healthy BMI?
is it safe to diet down to get a BMI of 18?
does BMI act as a measure of body fat for most people?
what is the significance of this?
whats your BMI

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

~*Sweetness*~

I think a healthy BMI is between 20 (or 19) to 25. I'm not sure though.
A BMI of 18 is technically underweight, so no, it's not healthy to diet down to it.
BMI isn't accurate for some people, e.g. athletes who have a lot of muscle. I don't think it acts as a measure of body fat.
Not sure what my BMI is, I'm 8 stone 12 and I'm 5 foot 7/8. I'm guessing I'm just a healthy BMI though.

Reply 2

Fleece

already been a thread on this.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/your_weight/bmimetric_index.shtml

18 is actually classed as underweight.
the healthy range is 18.5-25

Reply 3

qt_clo

no its unhealthy im 21.9!

Reply 4

Mishael

I'm 18.2 and my doctor told me to be careful not to lose any weight.

Reply 5

CasterTroy

Look for a video on the net of a woman from Texas with a BMI of 100.

Needless to say, she moves about on a mobility buggie. And thinks she's beautiful.

Reply 6

pheebs

i have a bmi of 16. i am both naturally slim and work hard to stay toned.

Reply 7

Fleece

16 is rather underweight

Reply 8

Ellie4

I have one of 17ish, and I'm not underweight, I just have a small frame!

Reply 9

Fleece

heh ok..guess it can be misleading then.

Reply 10

Ellie4

Fleece

heh ok..guess it can be misleading then.

Yeah, it gives a rough indication but there are lots of factors it doesn't take account of :smile:

Reply 11

friendlyneutron

Fleece

already been a thread on this.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living/your_weight/bmimetric_index.shtml

18 is actually classed as underweight.
the healthy range is 18.5-25

I thought it was 20-25 unless you're asian? At least that was my dietician's excuse for trying to keep me at a BMI of 21 *unimpressed*.

Reply 12

Izakel

BMI measures the mass density per body inch of you, so the higher it is, the more weight, the lower it is the less weight.

I'm underweight

Reply 13

Fleece

I was just going by what the bbc website said friendlyneutron..

Reply 14

Elles

Fleece

heh ok..guess it can be misleading then.

the problem is most internet ones are just generic. factors though to influence where the bands should be drawn include race, age, sex and muscularity.

if you wanted a more definitive answer for you - try a GP or dietician, perhaps..

Reply 15

Barny

Go to your local gym and get your bodyfat% measured, forget about BMI.

Reply 16

john !!

what is a healthy BMI? BMI sucks
is it safe to diet down to get a BMI of 18? In some circumstances
does BMI act as a measure of body fat for most people? No
what is the significance of this? There is no significance
whats your BMI? 24.5

and Im nowhere near overweight. BMI is just a generalisation, do not use it.