Is it normal to be a healthy bmi but look obese?

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10 Comments

Is that normal? Like, not look 5 pounds overweight but look 30 pounds overweight even though the BMI is normal? My body looks obese and it makes me angry that I fit into a size medium because I am in no way even close to a medium. I think it must be where I shop, I heard they upped clothing sizes to make people think they're smaller than they are which is really disturbing.

is it normal though? I don't understand why I look obese but healthy BMI? Because even if BMI is "wrong" as some say, they say it can only be off a little bit and not by lots of weight.

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52% Normal
Based on 25 votes (13 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • wistfulmaiden
    9 years ago

    I don't put too much validity to BMI its pretty inaccurate. However is it possible your body image is skewed? Some people think they look fat when they don't its called body dysmorphia.

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    • howaminotmyself
      9 years ago

      I think this is a case of body dysmorphia.

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  • JD777
    9 years ago

    Yeah, the BMI calculation is flawed, although the "new" BMI formula is better. Find yourself a scale that measures fat % and muscle mass. And yes, clothing makers have been gradually increasing the size of clothes within sizes. Their logic is that fitting into a smaller size of Brand A than Brand B will make a buyer prefer Brand A.

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  • Shroot
    9 years ago

    Maybe the BMI is very wrong? Test it again.

    If it is an accurate reading you need to see a doctor you may have a problem with your thyroid.

    It's not normal

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  • Koda
    9 years ago

    I am the exact opposite. Maybe your bone density is low? Or you really have very little muscle mass. I've been in the "overweight" BMI category for my height, and though I'm not muscular, I've never looked overweight. I've always looked thin. Never had a belly. I do have a lot of natural muscle mass in my legs, my whole family does, and having long legs, that's definitely part of it. Any time anyone's guessed my weight they guess WAY too low. Most people in my family look way lighter than they are. We're really dense I guess XD

    My friend guessed my weight at 145 the other day, and I'm actually 185, go figure.

    As both yours and my examples prove, BMI is bullshit. For muscular people it means nothing at all. Most body-builders have VERY low body fat, but are "overweight" or "obese" according to BMI. BMI only takes weight into account, not bodily composition. You need to get your body fat measured with either calipers or water displacement. If you have any kind of "belly" or fat around your middle, that's unhealthy fat and you're at risk for certain diseases. That's the be-all and the end-all of it.

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    • wistfulmaiden
      9 years ago

      Me too! I'm about 165 but people guess 140. A friend of mine is very fey and pixieish but she's my height. She looks fine at 110 but I looked horrible and sick at 114.

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      • Koda
        9 years ago

        Yeah, you might have a much more substantial skeleton. When your body fat is low, you'll still not be as light as people think you are.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      I was thinking about bone density actually! I am thinking maybe mine is really low and I've heard about that before. I remember I knew a guy who was a bit chubby looking but he weighed a lot less. I think he was 5'11 and 150 but he honestly looked about 200 pounds and he told me he had very low bone density since he was a child. Soo maybe that could be it! Yeah, BMI sucks because some people are muscular too and then they are fat according to BMI. I'll have to measure body fat somehow, I'm looking into calipers.

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      • Koda
        9 years ago

        Most gyms have someone who can measure it for you. And I'm sure your doctor would too.

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  • Darkoil
    9 years ago

    Bmi is very inaccurate as it doesn't take into account a person's muscle mas

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