Body Mass Index - I need a question answered regarding my physical size.?

I am currently 216 pounds and 6 foot and 1/2 inch. This puts my BMI at 29.3. Almost in the obese category. I do have a "gut", but I do not appear obese.

In order to get into the "normal" BMI range, I'd have to get down to 185 pounds or less. I agree that I should be around that value, however, it's just BARELY in the normal range.

I have a larger frame with very wide shoulders. If I were to get into the middle of the normal BMI range, I'd have to weight like 165 pounds. This would be absolutely rediculous for me. That's what I weighed in high school and I was a puny rail.

Is there a better system that you can do at home to get a better indication of your fat level? I'm not an athlete, but I don't have hardly any fat anywere but my gut.

I think I would actually have to lose muscle in order to get down to that weight. Any ideas for a better test (more comprehensive) that I can do at home?

Thanks!

I use the BMI calculator from Dr. Steven B. Halls website. What is so unique about their calculations is - it adjusts for a persons weight, height, age, gender, and frame size.

As stated on the website: Almost all "ideal body weight" websites use obsolete formulas or tables created in 1979 or earlier.

some bmi's have that you put your frame size 2 like small medium or large and they use that... find 1 of them on the internet and try that.... also musscle weights more then fat so if you are really musscular your should use the things where you measure your waist and your hips.... srry I don't remember what it is called....

Try this!

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/nutrition...

BMI is quite inaccurate if it is being used as a measurement for someone who is either tall or muscular. The BMI measurement also does not take into account bone size and density. A better system would be to use a body fat measurement, rather than a body mass measurement. You could check with your local clinic to see if you could get a skinfold test, in which the thickness of the subcuaneous fat layer is measured with an instrument called calipers. If this is unavailable, there are scales sold almost anywhere scales are sold that measure your percentage of body fat by transmitting electrical signals through your body.

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/library/bl...

^the above link may be a bit more accurate than standard BMI calculations, so you may want to give that a try =)