Body Mass Index (BMI)

**MiK** · 08-04-07, 01:53 AM

Hey all,

Does anyone know how to accurately calculate your BMI in a way that will tell you how much you should weigh by either your hight vs weight or by age?

I have been told a few different ways;

1) You divide your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in metres. For instance, if your height is 1.82 metres, the divisor of the calculation will be (1.82 x 1.82) = 3.3124. If you weigh 70.5 kilograms, then your BMI is 21.3 (70.5/3.3124).

To which I am confused to how much I should weigh for my age.

Source: http://police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=108

I have also been told to calculate BMI this way;

2) Your hight in cm, then subtract 100 off your hight and your weight should be around that many Kilograms, perhaps a few kilograms less.

I'm not sure to which are correct.

If anyone knows the correct way to get the correct weight for your hight or age, It would be great.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

**BEK** · 08-04-07, 02:53 AM

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/

**Trojan 42** · 08-04-07, 04:02 AM

I'd suggest you totally ignore BMI scores. The control group for it's inception were all male marathon runners. So any body with any actual muscle is shown as fat. All rugby players show as 'clinically obese' according to the BMI score.

**MiK** · 08-04-07, 04:18 AM

Thank you BEK for your prompt reply.

Trojan 42, Thanks also for your reply.
When you apply for Victoria Police within Australia, they tend to accompany the recruitment routine with a medical test, to which I'm told, they pass your "weight restrictions" with your current BMI reading.

By saying the BMI is according to "male marathon runners" would that suggest that if I am 21 years of age and 70kg that I would be over weight to them and that I must scale myself down to meet there requirements, therefor making me thinner?

I do realize that you are not the Victoria Police, but I gather you may have some experience within this field. I did give RSB (Recruiting Service Branch) a call, but they did not supply sufficient answers to my question. I guess the next best thing is to ask a Victorian Police officer themselves.

Tony....

**Trojan 42** · 08-04-07, 04:32 AM

My son was deemed too fat for Army entry, according to his BMI. The Army Doctor failed him on the BMI but then attached a letter saying that there was no fat on his body and he was a veryy fit individual and should be accepted. He was.

**Terminator** · 08-04-07, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by Trojan 42

I'd suggest you totally ignore BMI scores. The control group for it's inception were all male marathon runners. So any body with any actual muscle is shown as fat. All rugby players show as 'clinically obese' according to the BMI score.

I agree 100%.

**HillsideBlue** · 08-04-07, 05:59 AM

http://www.my-calorie-counter.com/BMI_Calculator.asp

**MiK** · 08-04-07, 06:22 AM

Thanks every one for your contribution.

Cheers HillsideBlue, worked a treat.

**Terminator** · 08-04-07, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by HillsideBlue

http://www.my-calorie-counter.com/BMI_Calculator.asp

According to your BMI calculator, I am in between a 30 - 39.9, which indicates moderate obesity. Like I said, that system is crap.

**MiK** · 08-04-07, 06:33 AM

Terminator and Trojan 42,

Thanks guys, I realize that it may be completely off, but knowing that VicPol go off of the BMI it's just good to know that I am within the "standard recommendations"

So don't feel as if I have just dis'ed you word, because I haven't.

I know now that a lot of things that they say are requirements in some situations can be "abused (BMI wise)" just that little bit, and that nothing is ever correct. I'll have to wait until the time comes.

So thanks again.

**jcsdscott** · 08-04-07, 06:34 AM

I agree with Terminator, these things say I'm overweight and I've been working out, losing about 14 pounds.

**Hawk1** · 08-04-07, 08:09 AM

BMI's are rubbish. Look at skin fold tests and your aerobic capacity. The RSB are not going to knock you back if you are in a healthy range for skin folds.
I work within the SSD at Vicpol, I know what I'm talking about on this, as per your sig line, re the S.O.G., I would expect that if this is where you want to head, you'd be all over this BMI gear anyway

PM me if you need further

**kjlaw** · 08-04-07, 12:52 PM

I have always said the are trash because they do not figure muscle mass in just height and weight.

**LawnMM** · 08-04-07, 01:16 PM

Its nothing but a height to weight ratio some jackass thought up dude. It does not take body composition into account at all. As others have said anybody that works out and actually has some muscle on their frame will rate as obese. Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you have any, that BMI scale is going to say you look like Eric Cartman.

Have your body fat percentage tested and tracked for a more accurate picture of what kind of shape you're in. Especially in this profession I'll take the guy who rates obese on the BMI over the 145lb - 6ft tall 'athlete'.