MN writes:
I am “normal” weight, but if appropriate wanted to share this experience of the uselessness of BMI. I understand if you feel it is inappropriate for this forum.
In college, I went to the doctor to get certain shots before traveling abroad. On the first visit, they marked me as 5’4”, 155 lb – which just put me over the line to “overweight” (BMI 25). Doctor warned me that it is important to maintain a healthy weight and to watch what I eat and exercise.
Some of shots required a second appointment. A few weeks later, I return to the same doc for follow up. This time, the nurse lists my height/weight as 5’5”, 155 lb – I am now “normal” weight (BMI 24). This amazing height gain of one inch resulted in the same doc telling me I seemed of healthy weight and probably didn’t have anything to worry about in that area!
First, Do No Harm 
Diane McRae
/ July 5, 2013Amazing, isn’t it? My BMI got “better” after a breast reduction allowed me to stand an actual inch taller. My husband’s got “worse” with a height loss due to ruptured discs in his back. It really is all bs.
Chris Miller (@thelittlepakeha)
/ August 22, 2013The funny thing is that it’s actually generally healthier to be in the “overweight” range. (In fact that’s the healthiest range – normal is worse and underweight is worse again. Which just means that our view of “normal” is slanted too low. Shock!)