[hopespringseternal]

The BMI doesn't take into account the three body types: ectomorph/endomorph/mesomorph.

BMI is stupid from the word go. You can't simply correlate height and weight and expect it to work for everyone, and that is exactly what they do. BMI tells you nothing about body fat percentage, and that is exactly what it is used to report!

I have seen people (including myself) that BMI calls obese whose extra weight is muscle mass, not fat mass. A lot of people don't realize that exercising can actually make you gain weight by building muscle. They look at the scale and BMI and assume they are doing terrible when they aren't.

[buffyt]

You are right. One of the trainers at our gym has really muscular arms and legs. Her body fat is LOW LOW LOW. But her doctor tells her she weighs too much. IT IS MUSCLE. And she looks great, not manly, she is very fit and feminine. BMI would make it look like she is fat. And she carried no fat. BTW she is so active and cheerful and helpful and happy and healthy. I want to try to be 25% like her, no way I can be 100% like her!

[cogitator]

They look at the scale and BMI and assume they are doing terrible when they aren't.

The mirror is also an effective diagnostic tool. Muscular people can tell if they have love handles or not.