For the majority of people, the Body Mass Index (BMI) is a scientific method of determining healthy or unhealthy weight an individual is carrying. However, for some people this may also incorrectly identify obesity. For example, a person who is lean and muscular, who is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 220, with 12% body fat, would be considered obese based on BMI standards. In reality, with that percentage of body fat this person would in no way be obese.
The scientists who developed the BMI defend these guidelines on the basis that many people are not fit, nor lean and muscular, but do admit that these standards do not apply to everyone. They also point out that not everyone who is classified as overweight or obese is unhealthy – quite the contrary. Some studies have shown that, in some cases, these people were healthier and lived longer than unfit people who were at “normal” weight.
The point is, don't focus so much on the BMI. Pay attention to your weight, waistline, and your cardiovascular health.
