"Fat but fit is a big fat myth"

[Not A Cat]

That question is going to be answered differently by everyone as "fat" and "fit" are vague terms that can be defined in any which way.

If you're concerned about your overall fat/fit status, then ask your doctor. It's never as cut and dry as just altering your diet or activity levels like all of these articles will tell you. Those are good starting points, but not always the solution. Also looks only say so much. I'm a little squishy in the belly (those love handles tho) but my body fat % is 16% which is well within the healthy range. A doctor can take the measurements, crunch the numbers and accurately tell you these things, not some forum poster.

And if you're concerned about a stranger's fat/fit status, then mind your own damn business.

[Shadowferal]

When I had a doctor and mentioned BMI, he told me not to pay any attention to it. I had obviously gained weight in the years going to him, weighed 165lbs at the first, last trip I was tipping 200. He said that a lot of that weight-gain was in my shoulders and asked point blank; "BMI says you're obese, what do you think?"

[Spectral]

he is not wrong about BMI being bs stat - in case of people with decent muscles mass it simply doesnt work

What percentage of the general population do you think is obese by BMI as a measurement, but not by body fat measurement?

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When I had a doctor and mentioned BMI, he told me not to pay any attention to it. I had obviously gained weight in the years going to him, weighed 165lbs at the first, last trip I was tipping 200. He said that a lot of that weight-gain was in my shoulders and asked point blank; "BMI says you're obese, what do you think?"

This is exactly why I don't really get the complaints about BMI though - it's a simple tool that's a good first check perspective. If at a moments glance you wind up seeing someone that's plainly fit, then obviously they're in the small bucket of people that are heavier, but muscular. This isn't mistake that any doctor is likely to make.

For the average person, they'd do better to engage in introspection than to insist up and down that BMI don't real and they're definitely not fat. Well over half of Americans are just plain fat. Telling them otherwise isn't doing them any favors.

[Shadowferal]

Well...I think my doc was just encouraging that common sense could be a rule of thumb. He knew I worked out and stuff...and BMI shouldn't be any consideration for those that do work out and eat well. (Blood pressure was 116/71...almost textbook normal. He said, "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it.")

[Kokolums]

How about someone who is lets say 6 foot tall 250 lbs with a lot of it being fat but they run like 5 miles 3 times per week and have lost 50 lbs? Are thy fit because of the cardio endurance?

[Spectral]

How about someone who is lets say 6 foot tall 250 lbs with a lot of it being fat but they run like 5 miles 3 times per week and have lost 50 lbs? Are thy fit because of the cardio endurance?

It'd be a pretty low bar for "fit" if a fat guy jogging a moderate bit qualified for "fit", but I suppose this would be well above the fitness of a median American. I probably wouldn't call this person, but obviously I'd need a lot more info to really know that.

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I'm willing to bet that this guy
vincewilfork_overalls1
<snip>
are healthier than a large amount of posters on this forum.

While I'm sure there are also some pretty unhealthy people on this forum, I don't really get why people keep posting Vince Wilfork as a picture of health and fitness. OK, yeah, the man is strong, but his conditioning isn't good even by the standards of other fat dudes in the NFL. He only plays about half of the Texans defensive snaps. During his prime in NE, it was still ~75%.

From a sheer health perspective, I don't get why you think he isn't pretty likely to die young.

[Sliske]

isn't obese a bit beyond fat?

Obese in your head is probably like Peter Griffin levels of fat , obese in reality is maybe like 3-4 stone above a normal BMI.

But, regardless - yes, obesity and being fat hinder your bodys endurance, news at 11 and I say this as a guy with a BMI of 34.7

[Brubear]

It'd be a pretty low bar for "fit" if a fat guy jogging a moderate bit qualified for "fit", but I suppose this would be well above the fitness of a median American. I probably wouldn't call this person, but obviously I'd need a lot more info to really know that.

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While I'm sure there are also some pretty unhealthy people on this forum, I don't really get why people keep posting Vince Wilfork as a picture of health and fitness. OK, yeah, the man is strong, but his conditioning isn't good even by the standards of other fat dudes in the NFL. He only plays about half of the Texans defensive snaps. During his prime in NE, it was still ~75%.

From a sheer health perspective, I don't get why you think he isn't pretty likely to die young.

Because, outside of rich people, the health expectancy of your average person in the US is declining and they're just as likely, if not more likely, to die younger than he is.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/a...-young/510455/

So a guy who not only had people closely monitoring his health and diet (during the season) but is rich enough to afford trainers and personal care, is probably going to outlast your average forum goer, despite his relative unhealthiness compared to the rest of the league.

[PL-Cibo]

Jesus christ do people even read the OP?

In this research the definition of obese was a BMI of over 30, which takes into account age, gender, height and weight.
)

Yes we do. But do read the posts? nope not likely. You mention the scientific definition of obese by BMI. Which is considered a relatively weak indicator when used on individuals. its a tool for looking at populations. I asked a very specific question, hence i also asked about classification. Never mind ignoring the rest of the post.
And yes its still unhealthy to be too fat.(and its also unhealthy to be too thin ) Being able to swim is not hard as it is a sport which counteracts your weight.

[Jayburner]

I've never seen a fat old person.

[mcnally86]

I've never seen a fat old person.

Your signature quotes Ben Franklin.

[Reclaimer]

I know this 'obese' woman who swims 2.5km every morning. Yes, you absolutely can be healthy at EVERY size. Weight is a poor indicator of someone's general well-being.

I'd back this up as fact, I am weight ninja. I weigh 365 but look like I am only around 225. I bike to the office every day and that's 7 miles each way, most of it being up hill. Sure it's an easy ride back but thats beside the point. I've been told by people out walking etc that theres no fucking way they could bike up them and they are stick thin. Same with work. Dude told me he works in the gym for 2 hours a day but couldnt bike as far as I to without atlease stopping once and thats back to my house lol.

[Sykol]

I've never seen a fat old person.

They all die by 36. They have the same life expectancy of a 1980s Buick.

[Celista]

Back from the dead~!

I've never seen a fat old person.

Of course you're here.

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They all die by 36. They have the same life expectancy of a 1980s Buick.

Lol.

Life expectancy is cut short, but not age 36 short. Boogie9288's in his 40s at least.

[Xandrigity]

So overweight NFL Defensive players are unfit .. Yeah Right !

They all look unfit, unhealthy and quite possibly a heart attack waiting to happen if you throw genetic predisposition into it as well.

[Deleted]

They all look unfit

Yeah, and that's what it's all about, isn't it; how people look. Appearance is everything. Brainwashing and indoctrination, that has been going on for long enough, and people have this certain view, that they think they came up with naturally "because it's just right", how other people should look like.

Funny thing is, that view has been different throughout history, because of said brainwashing and indoctrination being different. Also, interestingly enough, you could have a person, with almost no fat on their body, skinny even, or slightly muscular with a sixpack, and yet, they might have a horribly high cholesterol. But, you know, looks are all that matters.

Then you've got people like Tennis, spreading their own gospel on these forums, who are like these biblethumping zealots, waving their bibles at people's faces, except for him, his bible is a Calvin Klein ad.

[Xandrigity]

Yeah, and that's what it's all about, isn't it; how people look. Appearance is everything. Brainwashing and indoctrination, that has been going on for long enough, and people have this certain view, that they think they came up with naturally "because it's just right", how other people should look like.

Funny thing is, that view has been different throughout history, because of said brainwashing and indoctrination being different. Also, interestingly enough, you could have a person, with almost no fat on their body, skinny even, or slightly muscular with a sixpack, and yet, they might have a horribly high cholesterol. But, you know, looks are all that matters.

Then you've got people like Tennis, spreading their own gospel on these forums, who are like these biblethumping zealots, waving their bibles at people's faces, except for him, his bible is a Calvin Klein ad.

No being unfit is what matters. They are all obese and carry their weight mainly in the abdomen it's the absolute worst set up for heart disease. What terminology would you prefer? They "appear unfit" or perhaps just call a duck a duck they are all obese, unfit and unhealthy.

[Deleted]

They "appear unfit"

So everyone who "appears fit" is fit. OK, gotcha.

[Radaney]

Being fat and fit is actually impossible, by definition.

One being outside of healthy BMI and one being within.

[Deleted]

One being outside of healthy BMI and one being within.

You need to be reminded how BMI is complete BS? BMI simply looks at your height and weight, and muscle weighs too, you know.