8/15/2008

BMI Illustrated

I didn't find this particularly shocking, but really interesting. This is a group on flickr that basically shows you what people look like and what their BMI reading is.

Check it out: http://flickr.com/photos/77367764@N00/sets/72157602199008819/


I am Morbidly Obese

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12 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not sure. Some people on that site I was sure were "normal" but it said "overweight." Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..? Anyway, that's a fun picture of you.

9:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey! Found you on a google search... thanks so much for your blog!!! Wanted to say a couple of things:
1) THANK YOU for the link to the BMI pictures. It was incredibly refreshing to look at the people of all shapes and sizes, and really, the absurdity of looking just at the number on the scale.

2)Have you ever considered playing roller derby?? I play myself, and it's only the fact that I've been out with a knee injury that's even got me so concerned about all this right now. But I saw in a previous blog that you referenced Margaret Cho and how she found belly dancing. For me, roller derby is like that. I get ALL body types are welcome, and in fact, NEEDED. I get to do something that makes me feel sexy, and athletic, all at the same time. You seem to have spunk. I bet you'd like it... and I don't say that to everyone. I'm not sure where you're located but I'm sure there's a league in your area.

Anyhow... thank you SOOOOO much for your blog. Can't tell you how much it helped me tonight.

1:21 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I think those pictures are really interesting. I especially like that it is put out there without any commentary on the part of the organizer (at least not that I saw, but I haven't looked into it too much). People are left to make their own conclusions. I have to say that I think most people looked like the "label" given to them by the BMI calculations. That does not mean that there are not some very beautiful "overweight" or "obese" or "morbidly obese" people pictured. However, I think that over the years our image of what is a "normal" weight has been skewed because Americans across the board are heavier. We see more and more people who are maybe 10-15 lbs on the overweight side and then that is what we interpret as "normal." I mean, in a way it is if we are thinking of "normal" as "average." But it is not necessarily the most healthy. This is not to say that there are not a lot of technically overweight people who could out run me, out bike me or what have you.

In any case, a very thought provoking set of pictures. Thanks for posting the link.

2:54 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Oh, I just found that she does have commentary about it: http://kateharding.net/bmi-illustrated/, but I have to say that, with the exception of elite athletes or very muscle-bound individuals, I disagree with her conclusion that the BMI is "ridiculous." The labels might not be helpful, per se, and they certainly aren't the final word on any individual's health, but I don't tend to disagree with the categories. Just my thoughts (and I've battled for years to get into and stay in the "normal" category).

3:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with you Kaitlin. BMI is clearly inaccurate with people who have a large amount of muscle but otherwise it can be somewhat informative. It's not the "final say" on health but I don't think it's "ridiculous" either (except in cases with muscular individuals in which case BMI can safely be ignored.)

5:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

BMI is not a particularly useful measurement, usually, because of the really wide discrepancies that can be caused by variations in height and build, just thought I'd throw that out there.

Bodyfat percentage is a much better way to measure it, and although methods like calipers and scales aren't particularly 'accurate', that's fine as long as they produce CONSISTENT results so you can track your progress...

3:34 PM  
Blogger Felipa said...

When I first found out my BMI and found out I was morbidly obese, I was shocked, not that I'm in denial I know I'm fat, but "morbidly" just idk...woke me up I guess. Love you pick, thanks for sharing the link.

2:59 PM  
Blogger FatGirl said...

Wow...those photos on Flickr were pretty surprising. I wouldn't have classified many of the "overweight" people as being overweight just by looking at them. Some of the people with my same starting BMI look much bigger than I did at that weight; it's bizarre.

9:42 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

great blog!!!

10:06 AM  
Blogger Hippofatamus said...

I too am morbidly obese. What a scary term eh? I must say thoug hyoudo look fantastic despite the horrific label. Love your blog, I will be coming back often!

I am doing a TV show that is about regaining a healthy lifestyle of diet and excercise. I am hoping to drop that label. Excercising 3xweek, wlking and hour every night after dinner. No carbs afer 7pm and kickboxing. So far I do feel much better!

http://thethompsonsontv.blogspot.com/

9:10 PM  
Blogger Chai Latté said...

You are incredibly gorgeous!

2:59 PM  
Blogger Rhondalynn_J said...

BMI stats were interesting. Not all 'overweight' people looked overweight. We need to make sure we don't get caught up in the 'Hollywood' look! Healthy comes in all sizes. Thin doesn't always mean healthy and thick doesn't always mean unhealthy.

4:25 PM  

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