The BMI is bullshyt, and I'm in pretty good shape. I think it needs to be replaced with something that measures body fat percentage and lean muscle mass.
This.
http://www.examiner.com/article/celebrities-prove-bmi-to-be-a-terrible-measure-for-fitness
Registered dietitians Frances Largeman-Roth and Julie Upton, members of the American Dietetic Association, looked at pictures of seven celebrities and guessed their weights. Using these “guesstimates” and the height of each
celebrity, an estimation of their BMIs were calculated.
BMIstands for Body Mass Index and has been used by doctors and other
health professionals since the 1800s to determine health. BMI is simply a measure that compares your weight to your height. It does not differentiate between pounds of muscle and pounds of
fat. Today, the calculation and its accuracy are under a large amount of scrutiny.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example, was estimated at a 30.8 BMI, which would put him in the obese category. Is this long time model of fitness really packing on a deadly amount of fat or is he simply heavy from a large amount of muscle mass, which is skewing his numbers? In contrast, Beyonce, who is well known for her curvy appeal, is estimated to have a BMI right around 21, which is well within the normal range. Although certainly in great shape, is Beyonce truly in better shape than Arnold?
Angelina Jolie is estimated to have a BMI of 17.9, putting her in the slightly too lean category. This is probably a fair assessment, making BMI only useful in those who potentially need to gain weight, certainly not the majority of the population. On the other hand, fans and tabloids alike have been giving Jennifer Love Hewitt a hard time for her recent body image. Her estimated BMI says she is perfectly healthy however, at 21.9.
A star getting a bad rap from BMI is Tom Cruise. His estimated BMI comes in at 26, putting him in theoverweight category. Doctors are going to have a hard time convincing drooling fans that this action star is overweight. Speaking of drooling fans, Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboy’s quarterback comes in at a whopping 28.8 estimated BMI. It is well known that athletes are considered overweight or obese using BMI as a calculation due to their large amount of muscle mass. This being said, Serena Williams is fighting the odds as one of the few athletes that is not considered obese on the BMI scale. She comes in at an estimated BMI of just 22.1 in the perfectly normal range.
With all of the inconsistencies presented by Body Mass Index it is likely to be replaced sometime in the future with a more accurate measure. Body fat percentage is a much more accurate determinant of health but is somewhat difficult to calculate. Rather than simply factoring a person’s height and weight, a health professional would have to test body fat using skin calipers, biological impedence, bod pod, or underwater weighing. These measure what percentage of the body is made up of fat rather than muscle, ligaments, or bone. The more complex procedures are unfortunately the more accurate determinants of physical appearance and health. As science progresses, hopefully an easier way to measure body fat percentage will become available and BMI will be put to rest.