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Old 08-26-2010, 08:50 PM
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Default Body Mass Index and Body Fat Percentage

My personal trainer did some measurements on me and determined my body fat percentage. I have always known my BMI and it's a good number. Armed with the percentage, I went online to find out more about this body fat thing. Every chart I found says that I am ..... obese!

I like the BMI better.
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Old 08-27-2010, 12:35 AM
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BMI isn't an accurate indication, AT ALL.

Do one for various NFL running backs/quarter backs, rugby players, soccer players, or NBA players. Tell me if they're "overweight" or "obese"? They're BMI numbers say they are

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Old 09-10-2010, 07:37 PM
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This chart might help you out a little.

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Old 09-11-2010, 05:35 AM
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The accuracy of BMI depends on how it is derived. The default using height, neck size, and weight can be pretty far off due to individual variations.

Skinny neck = error on the high side
Thick neck = error on the low side

The guaranteed accurate BMI technique is where they submerge you in a tub...it works on body density.

But even so most americans tend to be a little fatter than is healthy...in order to fall into the healthiest weight category you pretty much need to be what we would consider to be downright skinny.
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Old 09-11-2010, 06:52 AM
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Originally Posted by vagabond
My personal trainer did some measurements on me and determined my body fat percentage. I have always known my BMI and it's a good number. Armed with the percentage, I went online to find out more about this body fat thing. Every chart I found says that I am ..... obese!

I like the BMI better.
You are not obese.

Feel better?

BTW, what is "STAPLE" referring to?

Actually, those pinch measurement are pretty subjective. I'd feel better going to a sports medical person who's done a lot of them. There are also machines that use some sort of electric current, but I'm not sure how accurate they are.


The BMI (basically a glorified height / weight table with interpretations) doesn't account for very fit people. I knew a weightlifter f/a who was constantly running afoul of weight check restrictions. The guy was 5'7" or so and about 220 pounds; body fat probably less than 10%. Yeah, he might have been technically overweight, but he wasn't obese. The girls trailing him (and he did like girls) weren't complaining.
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Old 09-11-2010, 07:45 AM
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The origins of my new callsign STAPLE can be found here http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ha...rsy-spoof.html. I'm still tickled pink at having been "accepted" into that storied group of aviators and warriors.

I've been working out like crazy for 3 weeks now, and even I can notice a difference in how I look. I do both cardio and weight training so I don't really know if I'm losing fat or gaining muscle. Will keep you all posted.

Speaking of posting, maybe I should post before and after pictures of my muffin top?
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Old 09-11-2010, 07:45 AM
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BMI is assessment tool that works for broad population, however, accuracy suffers at edges of the population bell curve. There are other factors that should be considered, aside from the "number" when measuring risk.

Here is a good BMI calculator with a quick overview of other risk factors:

Navigate Nutrition Consulting pllc - BMI Calculator
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Old 09-12-2010, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by rotorhead1026
The BMI (basically a glorified height / weight table with interpretations) doesn't account for very fit people. I knew a weightlifter f/a who was constantly running afoul of weight check restrictions. The guy was 5'7" or so and about 220 pounds; body fat probably less than 10%. Yeah, he might have been technically overweight, but he wasn't obese.
Hence my point about the athletes. Particularly the shorter running running backs and rugby players.
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Old 09-12-2010, 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by dojetdriver
Hence my point about the athletes. Particularly the shorter running running backs and rugby players.
Actually, most of the rugby players start out normal, but after a few head-on collisions ...
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Old 09-22-2010, 03:56 PM
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I am 6'4" and weigh 265Lbs give or take ten lbs depending on what kind of training I am doing. My BMI indicates that I am obese. My body fat percentage is in the 15 to 18% range.

BMI is a friggin joke if it doesn't take all of your measurements into account.

I played competitive rugby as a prop and a lock for almost ten years but it didn't affect me none barely et all.
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