Body mass index question?!
Question: So I have a very high muscle mass for a girl, and i weigh a lot for my size. Im 5'9 and weigh 190lbs, and im a size 12. According to online BMI calculators my number is 28.9 indicating that im overweight, but i had it calculated today on one of those special electrode scales that put my BMI at 16.9, a 12 point difference, which indicates that i am actually underweight...? I have no idea what to make of this.
Answers: So I have a very high muscle mass for a girl, and i weigh a lot for my size. Im 5'9 and weigh 190lbs, and im a size 12. According to online BMI calculators my number is 28.9 indicating that im overweight, but i had it calculated today on one of those special electrode scales that put my BMI at 16.9, a 12 point difference, which indicates that i am actually underweight...? I have no idea what to make of this.
Lets see... BMI=weight(kg)/Height(m.)^2.
So, your BMI = 86.26kg./3.07 m.^2 = 28.1
You are overweight, based on BMI, but it is well-known that athletes tend to score high on BMI chart because of their muscle mass. So, don't worry about it.
Now, is 16.9 a BMI or your Body Fat? Those are 2 different things.
If it is BMI - disregard it, the reading was taken wrong
If it is Body Fat, it is pretty good for female athlete. Appropriate body fat range for female athletes is 14-20%, so you are good.
HTH.
The electrode scale was probably your body fat percentage, NOT BMI. They are entirely different. I'm the same, BMI says I'm overweight, while I'm only 13% body fat. Lots of muscle.
bmi calculators often put lean athletes with practically no fat on them in the overweight or even obese category. don't take any notice of it. If you want a really reliable indication of where you are, you will probably need to consult your dr. xxx
The BMI index seems to be calibrated to small boned, skinny people. Don't take into account lots of muscle tissue, or age for that matter.
The "electrode" scale is clearly wrong.
THOSE TESTS ARE NOT VERY ACCURATE FOR PEOPLE WITH HIGH MUSCLE CONTENT. THATS WHAT MY HEALTH TEACHER TOLD ME LAST SEMESTER. IT DOESNT KNOW THAT IT IS MEASURING MUSCLE INSTEAD OF FAT. I WOULDNT TRUST THEM. IF U KNOW U ARE MUSCULAR AND DONT THINK UR FAT...I WOULDNT WORRY ABOUT IT TOO MUCH...