Question

BMI is used as the main indicator of weight status, yet certain individuals can have high BMIs without being considered fat. how can this occur?

Answer 1

BMI is referred to estimate the amount of body fat of a person based on height and weight. BMI readings under 18.5 mean underweight, between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered as normal and than 24.9 higher as overweight. However, in recent, researchers argue that it’s not the most accurate way to measure body fat.

Visceral fat, is more harmful than other body fat that simply found under the skin. Visceral fat develops deep among muscles and around organs like the liver, kidney etc and by releasing certain hormones and other agents, it disrupts the body’s ability to balance its energy needs. Relatively thin people can have high levels of visceral fat, which means they might be considered healthy by BMI standards, but internally they may actually be at higher risk of developing health problems related to weigh gain.

The more body fat, the higher the health risk, however, BMI cannot differentiate between body fat and muscle mass. For example,  body builders and people who have a lot of muscle bulk will have a high BMI, but they may not be overweight.