Hey guys,
Given what I have heard you say, the evidence shows that if an individual with a BMI of 30, is exercising regularly (both cardio and resistance training) this confers many health benefits even with no change in BMI.
My question is, if that individual was to reduce their BMI, what health benefits and/or reduced risk of disease would that give them?
Since we began weight training together a few years ago (using your templates!), my 45year old, 6’2" husband has put on 10-13kg. His BMI is 30/31. We had a chat about this a while ago, and he is certain the weight gain is all muscle! He thinks having an elevated BMI is not a cause for concern as he is so strong and feels healthy. And that is great in many ways.
But I do worry about his health as his father has had many cardiac issues and I wonder if reducing his BMI would reduce his risk of cardiac related illness?
Regardless of risk reduction etc. It’s a subject I am very reticent to bring up with him. It is a sensitive topic and I am not sure how to approach it without making him feel bad/judged. Advice from a health professional is very different compared to unsolicited advice from a loved one.
Despite my concerns, the best approach may be to let it go? He’s not concerned about it.
Interested to hear your response regarding the data and thoughts on the psychological/interpersonal element of discussing weight/BMI?
Hi Alicia,
Thanks for the post. A reduction in BMI - assuming that the elevation is from too much fat mass*- reduces risk of pretty much all disease save for osteoporosis. Most relevant to your husband, yes, reducing body fat (if elevated) is likely to reduce his risk from heart disease or event.
A quick way to identify IF his weight gain is mostly muscle or not would be to measure his waist circumference. If it’s > 37", that indicates he is carrying too much adipose tissue (for health purposes) in his midsection, which is likely the most risky. 0/10, would not recommend.
I agree that this may not be a great thing for you to bring up personally, but we do have resources on BMI, waist circumference, etc. that might be useful
- A BMI > 30 indicates someone is carrying too much body fat ~99% of the time in men
-Jordan
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Thanks Jordan,
That is really helpful. Especially knowing “A BMI > 30 indicates someone is carrying too much body fat ~99% of the time in men.”
He has done his waist circumference a year or two ago (since his weight gain) and said it was under 37. However, I have noticed that he has put on a lot of weight around his stomach, but it ‘sits high.’ That is, I think there’d be a big increase in his stomach girth, however this is superior to where you take the WC measurement. Is this less cause for concern?
Probably not, as excess adipose tissue anywhere in the abdomen (pretty much) signifies greater amounts of visceral adipose tissue, which is the most nefarious. This is in addition to the concerns over measurement technique.
In any case, it would be highly unlikely to have a BMI > 30 and a normal waist circumference.
Thanks Jordan. Noted re: measurement technique.
If “A BMI > 30 indicates someone is carrying too much body fat ~99% of the time in men,” is that same true for a BMI between 25-30?