Need some research help - PLEASE

**ALBOB** · 08-17-2005, 11:44 AM

There's a few self-proclaimed nutritional/exercise experts here at work who have been touting the Body Mass Index as the do-all, end-all to personal health. From my limited knowledge of the BMI, it's nothing more than a table that tries to put everybody in a cookie cutter. "If you're this tall you shouldn't weigh more than this much." It makes no allowences for BF%, genetics, etc. Am I even close to being correct? Do you know of any good studies that have proven the BMI to be good, bad, neither or both? Thanks.

**eastbaylifter** · 08-17-2005, 12:04 PM

Seasoned body builders are well aware that BMI is a bunch of *&#!@. Like you said, it makes no allowance for muscle mass. It was designed by insurance company statisticians to estimate health risks of the AVERAGE (non-weight lifting) person from being over- or under-weight. Many BB's have a BMI of close to 30, which puts them in the obese category despite having 6% body fat.