#MicroblogMondays – Is BMI a correct indicator?

Posted on by Parul Thakur

 

2015-04-23 08.10.02We had this health check up at work and prompt as always, I registered to find out how I was doing. So I got poked for sugar levels and cholesterol, stood straight to get my height checked and dreaded before getting on to that weight scale.

Today, we got the reports and I found my results funny.

  • Blood Pressure – on the lower side.
  • Sugar – on the lower side
  • Cholesterol – Perfect
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) – Over Weight

Since then I have been confused about whether BMI is the correct indicator of good health or these parameters. Am I healthy cos my cholesterol is good indicating metabolism is good, sugar can be managed and BP, I have always had the same range or am I at risk cos of my weight?

What would you say? Does this confuse you too? Would you go by BMI?

I am tagging this post for both #MicroblogMondays and #MondayMusings. 

35 thoughts on “#MicroblogMondays – Is BMI a correct indicator?”

  1. Yes I would but don’t mind me I am driven by a life-long habit of obsessing about my weight. And yet what you said got me thinking. Maybe you need to ask a qualified physician if you should worry. I’d like to know too.

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  2. BMI is a healthy indicator for sure. But more than that, what matters is your body fat %. That gives a real indication on how fat you are esp since some people are really skinny, have the perfect weight but the weight is all fat stored around the organs which is very unhealthy.
    So yes, BMI can be used as a guideline and since it tells you that you are overweight might as well
    Get your body fat % checked out. any advanced weighin scale can do that for you!

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  6. I would say: everything is relative…. Even BMI might be useful… there can be a lot of unhealthy people with low BMI but who are stuffed with caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol… you name it… Doesnt mean they are very healthy..? A guideline yes, but not the only one….

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  11. I too have a BMI which classifies me as OBESE ( which I probably am) but since I can touch my toes, climb two floors with ease, run after my grandson, walk around with 6 kg of another grandchild with ease it doesn’t really matter what my BMI is. BTW my sugars and cholesterol are normal too but I still don’t qualify as fit. So I’d say, you are as healthy as you feel and as pretty as you look so parameters be damned.

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  12. Here we go I am not a professional but saying it from experience..

    Where were these bmi ..and other stuff about 30 years ago..people ate raw ghee..

    I feel that if you feel good you are goood.. simple.. yes I am a bit fat.. but I can still run after a person to catch them..
    I still play my Sunday hockey league..

    So if this was my report I will be smiling ear to ear.. I have fussed over my weight for a long long time..and now I just can’t be bothered. .

    So in the end it’s all in your mind.. If you look in the mirror and smile then yayyyyyyy..

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  13. BMI is a decent INDICATOR. Take it as just that. Also, it might be helpful to calculate the fat percentage in the body. you could weight 60 kgs on a 5 foot frame, BMI will indicate that you are overweight, but if your fat% is low, then it means that you are healthy enough, that your weight is from muscle, mostly.

    ^This is just a very general idea, do read up about it.

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  14. I am not really sure about BMI index. There’s another index that calculates the ratio of hips and waist for fat ratio. As long as you feel fit and the fat or cholesterol level is not causing health issues you don;t have to worry much. Just keep doing what you do 🙂

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  15. I have excess of everything except Hemoglobin. But then, I have been on steroids for the past decade and they play with all these different numbers. I would suggest you to just walk and may be consult a physician for now. End of the day what matters is how you feel about yourself.

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      1. It was not meant to scare you or else there would have been a grave looking emotion icon instead of a smiley. I read all the above comments and found much has been already said so I thought let me give a new angle to the post discussion 🙂

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    1. Actually BMI is just a height weight ratio and I have a short height. So unless I hit a 45-49kg on the weighing scale by BMI, I will remain over weight. I should not go obese but I would think it’s important to have parameters like Hb count, Sugar levels, BP, Cholesterol etc under control.

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  22. I think BMI is generally a good indicator. But then, I understand with your other parameters coming as pretty ok, it gets quite confusing. Maybe you should just go and confirm with a doc?

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