Wow, oh wow, do we have a treat for you today! We stumbled upon some of the most ridiculous-looking BMI charts out there. You know, those pesky little charts they use to tell you if you’re “overweight” or “obese” or just plain ol’ “normal”? Yeah, those ones. We’re not saying that BMI is completely useless or anything, but let’s just say that some of these charts are making us feel… a little skeptical.
Chart #1: “Free Printable Body Mass Index Chart”
So, off the bat, this chart looks pretty legit. It’s got all the usual suspects: height on one axis, weight on the other, and a nice little green zone smack dab in the middle that apparently signifies “normal weight”. But wait a minute… why the heck is the overweight zone colored pink? And why does the obese zone suddenly jump to BRIGHT RED?
We’re not sure if this chart was made by someone with a particularly creative color palette or if they were trying to scare people into losing weight, but either way, it’s pretty hilarious. Congrats to anyone who manages to stay within the green zone, though!
Chart #2: “Printable Bmi Chart | room surf.com”
Okay, what the heck is going on with this chart? On the surface, it looks pretty normal. It’s got height on one axis, weight on the other, and some nice little lines dividing up the different BMI categories. But then, as you start to read the small print, things start to get… weird.
First of all, there’s a bizarre little note at the bottom that says “NOTE: This chart should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice.” Uh, thanks for the heads up? We’re pretty sure nobody was planning on using a flimsy little chart they found on a random website to make crucial medical decisions.
But that’s not even the weirdest part. Check out the text under the “normal” BMI range:
“Normal” BMI range is between 18.5 and 24.9. If your BMI falls between 25 and 29.9, you are officially in the “overweight” category and should consider losing weight. If your BMI is 30 or above, you are considered “obese” and need to seriously reassess your eating habits. Please don’t come crying to us when you have a heart attack at age 40.
Okay, okay, we added that last sentence in ourselves. But seriously, could this website be any more judgmental? We’re all for encouraging healthy habits, but this is a little much.
Chart #3: “Is BMI An Accurate Way To Measure Body Fat? Here’s What Science Says…”
Finally, a chart that’s actually informative! This one breaks down the different BMI categories and explains what they mean in terms of health risks. It also touches on some of the limitations of using BMI as a measure of body fat, which is something that a lot of charts conveniently forget to mention.
But let’s be real here, the real reason we love this chart is because of that picture. Look at that cute little cartoon person trying to squeeze themselves into a BMI category! Adorable.
Chart #4: “Bmi Chart Inches And Pounds - Aljism Blog”
Okay, full disclosure: we have no idea what “Aljism Blog” is or why they decided to make a BMI chart that only uses inches and pounds. But hey, we’re not here to judge. We’re just here to make fun of these charts.
Anyway, this one is pretty straightforward. It’s got all the usual height and weight stuff, and it even throws in a little “ideal weight” column for good measure. But then… then there’s that little picture in the corner. What even is that supposed to be? Is it supposed to be motivating? Is it supposed to make us feel bad? We honestly can’t tell.
Chart #5: “printable bmi chart That are Enterprising | Derrick Website”
We’re not sure what makes this particular BMI chart “enterprising”, but we’re here for it. This one looks pretty standard at first glance, but then you start to notice all the little inconsistencies. Like, why is the “normal” BMI range so much smaller than the other categories? And why does the obese range suddenly start at 30.1 instead of 30?
But the real gem here is that little note at the bottom: “BMI is just a general guideline, so don’t feel too bad if you’re in the ‘overweight’ category.” Aww, thanks for the reassurance, Derrick Website. We were really starting to feel self-conscious there for a minute.
Chart #6: “Adult BMI Chart Download Printable PDF | Templateroller”
Okay, this chart is just straight-up confusing. First of all, why does it have two different sections for “weight” and “mass”? Aren’t those… the same thing? And then there’s the fact that the categories are all jumbled up in weird ways. Why is the “underweight” range between 15 and 19 instead of just 18.5 and below? And why is the obese range suddenly between 34 and 40? We feel like we need a PhD in math just to decipher this thing.
Chart #7: “BMI Chart - Printable Body Mass Index Chart - BMI Calculator”
Okay, we’re not gonna lie: this one is actually pretty legit. It’s got a nice, simple design, it’s easy to read, and it even includes a little BMI calculator down at the bottom. We’re not sure who Vertex42 is or why they’re so good at making BMI charts, but we’re definitely impressed.
The only thing that makes us a little skeptical is that “overweight” range. According to this chart, someone who is 5'9" and weighs 169 pounds is officially overweight. Maybe it’s just us, but that seems… a little extreme. We’re all for promoting healthy habits, but we don’t want people to start panicking over a few extra pounds.
Chart #8: “BMI charts are bogus: real best way to tell if you’re a healthy weight”
Ah, the classic “BMI charts are useless” argument. And you know what? We kind of agree. BMI is a pretty flawed measure of body fat, especially when you consider factors like muscle mass and bone density. But this chart takes things a step further by promoting a bunch of other methods for determining your “ideal weight”. Some of the methods mentioned include:
- Measuring your waist circumference
- Using an underwater weighing test
- Getting a DEXA scan (whatever that is)
Okay, we get it: BMI is flawed. But most people don’t have easy access to all these other tests, so let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater here.
Chart #9: “printable bmi chart That are Enterprising | Derrick Website”
What’s this? Another chart from Derrick Website? We’re starting to think this guy has a thing for BMI charts. Anyway, this one is pretty similar to the last one from Derrick, but there are a few key differences. For starters, the categories are all a little different. And then there’s that little note at the bottom:
“You can always wear dark colors to look slimmer.”
Wait, what? We’re not sure what wearing dark colors has to do with anything, but we’re pretty sure it’s not a valid weight loss strategy. Nice try, Derrick.
Chart #10: “BMI Chart for Men & Women, Weight Index BMI Table for Women & Men”
And last but not least, we have this chart from King’s Weight Loss Clinics. This one is pretty standard, with all the usual categories and some helpful little notes about what each category means. But what we really love about this chart is that little “BMI quiz” at the bottom. It’s like a Buzzfeed quiz, but for your weight! Some of the questions include:
- “When you sit down, do you have love handles or muffin top?”
- “Do you have a noticeable double chin?”
- “Do your feet usually hurt?”
Okay, we’re not sure how accurate these questions are as a measure of BMI, but they’re definitely entertaining. And honestly, isn’t that why we’re all here?
And that’s it, folks! We hope you enjoyed this little tour through the wacky world of BMI charts. Remember, being healthy is important, but don’t let these charts stress you out too much. At the end of the day, it’s all about feeling good in your own skin. And if that means ignoring the pink “overweight” category on some random website, then so be it.
